| # | Cornea Transplant Treatment Cost | Average Price | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | the cost of cornea transplant treatment in India | 150000.00 | 50000.00 - 250000.00 |
Package Details
What ailments may a cornea transplant treat?
If you have: Your eye doctor may recommend a cornea transplant if you have:
- Fuchs' dystrophy is a kind of dystrophy.
- Keratoconus.
- Corneal ulcers or other corneal damage caused by trauma, inflammation, or infections.
- Corneal injury from previous eye surgery.
- Bullous keratopathy is characterised by a blister-like enlargement of the cornea.
Are there several kinds of cornea transplant surgeries?
Penetrating keratoplasty, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and endothelial keratoplasty are the three surgical choices for cornea transplant. Your cornea is made up of three layers of tissue. Each of these procedures focuses on a specific layer or layers of tissue.
Corneas from dead human organ donors are used in all corneal transplants. Every donor cornea is thoroughly tested to ensure its suitability for transplant.
Keratoplasty with penetration
- Full-thickness cornea transplantation is another word for penetrating keratoplasty. The contemporary form of this operation, which was developed over 100 years ago, continues to treat hundreds of individuals each year. In this surgery, your surgeon removes the entire centre portion of the damaged cornea using a thin circular blade and replaces it with a healthy, same-shaped piece of donor cornea.
The procedure is known as deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
- If the core layer of your cornea is intact but the middle and outer layers are damaged, your surgeon may do a partial thickness cornea transplant. This is also known as a deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Your surgeon will remove the inner and outer layers of your cornea and replace them with healthy donor corneal tissue during this procedure.
Types of cornea transplant procedures
There are several types of cornea transplant procedures, also known as keratoplasty. The specific type of transplant recommended depends on the condition of the cornea and the patient's individual needs. Here are some common types of cornea transplant procedures:
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP): This is the traditional and most common type of cornea transplant. In PKP, the full thickness of the damaged cornea is removed, and a full-thickness donor cornea is stitched in its place. This procedure is typically performed when the entire cornea is affected by disease or injury.
Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK):
- Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK): In DSAEK, only the innermost layer of the cornea, called the endothelium, is replaced. The surgeon removes the damaged endothelium and replaces it with a thin layer of donor cornea containing healthy endothelial cells. This procedure is commonly used for conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy and corneal edema.
- Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK): DMEK is a more advanced version of endothelial keratoplasty where only the Descemet's membrane and the endothelium are transplanted. It provides better visual outcomes and faster recovery compared to DSAEK.
- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): In DALK, the surgeon removes the diseased or scarred tissue from the front layers of the cornea while preserving the healthy innermost layer (endothelium). A donor cornea is then transplanted, replacing the removed layers. DALK is mainly used when the disease affects the front layers of the cornea, such as in cases of keratoconus.
- Modified Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (MOOKP): MOOKP is a complex and specialized procedure performed in cases where traditional cornea transplants are not feasible due to severe corneal damage. In MOOKP, a tooth is harvested along with its surrounding bone and covered with a buccal mucosa graft. The tooth-bone complex is then implanted into the eye, acting as a support for an artificial cornea.
Precaution
After a cornea transplant, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure a successful recovery and minimize the risk of complications. Here are some general precautions to follow:
Medication Compliance: Take all prescribed medications as directed by your ophthalmologist. These may include eye drops or oral medications to prevent infection, control inflammation, and promote healing. Follow the recommended schedule and dosage instructions.
Avoid Rubbing or Touching the Eye: Refrain from rubbing or touching your eyes, especially the operated eye, to prevent injury or infection. If you experience any discomfort or itching, consult your doctor for appropriate guidance.
Use Protective Eyewear: Wear protective eyewear, such as sunglasses or glasses, to shield your eyes from dust, wind, bright sunlight, and potential injury. It is important to protect the healing cornea from any trauma.
Avoid Strenuous Activities: Avoid engaging in strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or activities that may increase intraocular pressure during the initial healing phase. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any activity restrictions or limitations.
Maintain Eye Hygiene: Follow proper eye hygiene practices to minimize the risk of infection. Clean your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or applying eye drops. Avoid using expired or contaminated eye drops or solutions.
Attend Follow-up Appointments: Attend all follow-up appointments with your ophthalmologist as scheduled. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your progress, assessing the success of the transplant, and adjusting your medications, if necessary.
Protect from Infection: Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or other bodies of water until your doctor gives you permission. Additionally, avoid exposing your eyes to potential sources of infection, such as dusty environments or contact with people who have contagious eye infections.
Recovery
The recovery process following a cornea transplant can vary from person to person, but here are some general guidelines for cornea transplant recovery:
Immediate Post-Surgery: After the surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery area to ensure there are no immediate complications. You may experience some discomfort, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light during this time.
Medications: Your ophthalmologist will prescribe a regimen of eye drops and/or oral medications to be taken as directed. These medications help prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Follow the medication schedule closely.
Rest and Healing: It's important to rest and allow your eyes to heal during the initial recovery period. Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or any activities that could strain the eyes.
Eye Patch or Shield: Your doctor may place an eye patch or shield over the operated eye immediately after surgery to protect it and promote healing. Follow your doctor's instructions on when and how to remove or replace the patch/shield.
Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with your ophthalmologist are essential for monitoring your progress and ensuring proper healing. These appointments may involve eye examinations, visual acuity tests, and adjustments to your medication regimen if needed.
Gradual Vision Improvement: It's common for vision to be initially blurry or distorted after a cornea transplant. Over time, as the eye heals, vision should gradually improve. However, it may take several months or even up to a year for the vision to stabilize and fully improve.
Protective Eyewear: Wear protective eyewear, such as sunglasses or glasses, to shield your eyes from bright light, dust, wind, and potential injury. Protecting the healing cornea is important during the recovery period.
Follow Post-Operative Instructions: Your doctor will provide specific post-operative instructions tailored to your situation. Follow these instructions carefully, including guidelines for eye hygiene, medication use, and any activity restrictions or limitations.
What are the advantages of having a cornea transplant?
Most patients who have had a cornea transplant see better. In rare cases, a cornea transplant may be performed to relieve eye discomfort.
A cornea transplant is a relatively risk-free procedure. Your surgical team will do everything possible to limit your risk of problems.
What are the complications of a cornea transplant?
Organ (cornea) rejection is one of the most serious consequences of cornea transplant. Rejection occurs when your immune system recognises the donor cornea as alien and attempts to fight off the transplant. The risk of rejection varies depending on the surgical approach employed and the state of your eye.
In other circumstances, your surgeon may advise against surgery since a transplanted cornea is likely to be rejected by your eye. Conditions such as severe dry eye, the formation of blood vessels in the cornea, and eye infections enhance the likelihood of rejection.
To lessen the chance of rejection after a cornea transplant, you must take eye drops for at least a year after surgery.
Other risks associated with cornea transplant surgery include:
- Infection in the cornea or within the eye.
- Bleeding.
- Glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure).
- Fluid leaking from the cornea.
- Retinal detachment.
- Visual acuity (vision sharpness) issues caused by an uneven curvature in the shape of the cornea.
- Detachment of the cornea transplant (in the case of an endothelium graft kept in place by an air bubble).
How soon after a cornea transplant can I drive?
You are not permitted to drive on the day of your cornea transplant. Someone must drive you home following surgery and to your follow-up appointment.
You can legally drive 24 hours following surgery if you have good vision in your non-transplant eye. However, if you have an endothelial transplant, your physician may advise you to wait longer before driving.
When can I go back to work after having a cornea transplant?
You may be able to return to work in a few days to a few weeks. It is determined by your level of pain, eyesight, and the tasks you conduct at work. If your profession requires physical tasks such as lifting large things, you may need to take precautions.