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Corneal Transplant: Conditions, Types, and Expert Care at Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital
25 September 2025
Eye Health
The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped outer layer of the eye that plays a crucial role in focusing vision. When it becomes damaged, scarred, or diseased beyond repair, a corneal transplant becomes the most effective solution to restore sight and improve quality of life.
At Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital, we are proud to be one of the few HOTA (Human Organ Transplant Authority)-approved hospitals in India, offering advanced and successful corneal transplant procedures, even in a rural setting. Our experienced DR’s team has performed multiple successful corneal transplants, bringing hope to patients suffering from severe corneal diseases.
This blog covers everything you need to know about corneal transplants: common conditions that require it, the detailed anatomy of the cornea, types of transplants, and the role of HOTA-approved hospitals.
What Is a Corneal Transplant?
A corneal transplant, also known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by healthy donor corneal tissue. The goal is to restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the structural integrity of the cornea.
Anatomy of the Cornea
Understanding the cornea’s structure helps explain why it’s so vital and how transplants work.
The cornea has five distinct layers from outermost to innermost:
- Epithelium
- Thin, protective outer layer.
- Acts as a barrier against dust, debris, and microorganisms.
- Bowman’s Layer
- Acellular layer just beneath the epithelium.
- Provides strength and shape to the cornea.
- Stroma
- Thickest layer (about 90% of corneal thickness).
- Made of collagen fibers arranged in a precise pattern to maintain transparency and strength.
- Descemet’s Membrane
- Thin but strong layer of tissue between the stroma and endothelium.
- Acts as a protective barrier.
- Endothelium
- Innermost single layer of cells.
- Pumps excess fluid out of the cornea to maintain clarity and prevent swelling.
Damage to any of these layers can result in loss of corneal transparency, leading to impaired vision and, in severe cases, blindness.
Common Conditions Requiring Corneal Transplant
Several corneal diseases and injuries may necessitate a transplant:
1. Corneal Scarring
- From infections like herpes simplex keratitis or severe bacterial keratitis.
- Scarring causes loss of transparency, leading to blurred vision.
2. Keratoconus
- Progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone shape.
- Leads to distorted vision and cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses in advanced stages.
3. Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy
- Degeneration of corneal endothelium cells.
- Causes corneal swelling, blurry vision, glare, and discomfort.
4. Corneal Edema
- Accumulation of fluid in the cornea due to endothelial dysfunction or trauma.
- Leads to swelling and hazy vision.
5. Corneal Ulcers and Perforation
- Severe infections or injuries may lead to deep ulcers or perforation, making transplant necessary to prevent eye loss.
6. Corneal Dystrophies
- Inherited conditions causing progressive clouding (e.g., lattice dystrophy, granular dystrophy).
7. Chemical or Thermal Burns
- Severe damage to cornea structure requiring transplant for functional and cosmetic restoration.
Which Hospitals Are Eligible for Corneal Transplants?
In India, hospitals must be HOTA (Human Organ Transplant Authority)-approved to legally perform corneal transplants. HOTA approval ensures:
- Strict adherence to ethical and medical standards.
- Proper donor cornea handling and storage.
- Skilled ophthalmic surgeons with expertise in keratoplasty.
- Rigorous infection control and patient safety protocols.
Our institution, Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital, is proud to be HOTA-certified. Despite being located in a rural area, we have successfully performed multiple corneal transplants with excellent patient outcomes. This achievement reflects our commitment to high-quality eye care and making advanced treatment accessible beyond metropolitan regions.
Types of Corneal Transplant
Depending on the disease and layer involved, different transplant techniques are used:
1. Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
- Full-thickness corneal transplant.
- The entire cornea (all five layers) is replaced.
- Most commonly used for deep scarring, keratoconus, and perforations.
- Requires sutures, with recovery time around 12 months.
- Higher rejection risk compared to partial-thickness procedures.
2. Lamellar Keratoplasty
- Only specific layers of the cornea are replaced, preserving the healthy ones.
a. Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK)
- Replaces the front layers (epithelium and stroma).
- Used for diseases like keratoconus without endothelial involvement.
b. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)
- Removes deeper stromal layers but preserves Descemet’s membrane and endothelium.
- Lower rejection risk than PK.
c. Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK)
- Replaces only the diseased endothelium.
- Includes DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty) and DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty).
- Used mainly in Fuchs’ dystrophy and endothelial dysfunction.
- Faster recovery, fewer stitches, lower rejection rate.
Corneal Transplant Procedure
- Preoperative Assessment:
- Complete eye examination, corneal topography, and systemic evaluation.
- Blood tests to rule out infections or systemic diseases.
- Surgical Procedure:
- Performed under local or general anesthesia.
- Diseased cornea (full or partial thickness) is removed.
- Donor cornea is sutured into place.
- Postoperative Care:
- Topical antibiotics and steroids to prevent infection and rejection.
- Regular follow-up to monitor graft health and healing.
- Visual rehabilitation and suture removal as needed.
Prognosis and Success Rate
- Visual improvement typically begins weeks after surgery but may take months for full recovery.
- Success rate depends on the condition treated and patient’s overall health.
- At Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital, our expert team ensures high success rates by using advanced surgical techniques, proper donor selection, and meticulous postoperative care.
Even in a rural setting, we’ve demonstrated that high-quality corneal transplant outcomes are achievable.
Importance of HOTA Approval
Hospitals approved by HOTA provide:
- Certified donor cornea management and storage.
- Ethical and legal compliance with organ donation regulations.
- High standards of infection control.
- Skilled, trained ophthalmic surgeons.
Patients should always choose a HOTA-approved eye hospital for corneal transplant to ensure safety, transparency, and better outcomes.
Why Choose Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital?
- HOTA-approved and NABH-accredited for quality care.
- Multiple successful corneal transplants, even in rural areas.
- Patient-focused care with detailed follow-up protocols.
- State-of-the-art equipment and experienced surgeons.
- Affordable, high-quality corneal transplant services.
Conclusion
A corneal transplant is a life-changing procedure for patients suffering from corneal blindness or severe corneal disease. From full-thickness Penetrating Keratoplasty to advanced Endothelial Keratoplasty, the type of transplant depends on the layer and severity of corneal damage.
Being treated at a HOTA-certified hospital ensures the highest standards of care, ethical donor management, and safety. Dr. Anushka’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, performing multiple successful corneal transplants and making advanced eye care accessible in rural India.
If you or your loved one suffers from a corneal disease, don’t delay in seeking expert help. With early diagnosis and timely corneal transplant, the gift of sight is always possible.
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