Corneal transplants, also known as keratoplasty, are used to improve vision damaged by corneal diseases. The cornea is the front covering of the eye, and it is disrupted by diseases, injuries, and infections, which in turn leads to weak eyesight.
This blog will be your comprehensive guide to corneal transplant surgery in India.
Corneal Transplant Surgery India: Understanding the Types
Penetrating Keratoplasty
This type of surgery will replace the entire damaged cornea with the donor cornea. This is a classic corneal transplant surgery that works well for severe corneal damages that are caused by trauma, any illness, or degenerative diseases.
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty
The ALK procedure in Delhi replaces only the front or anterior layers of the cornea, leaving the inner layers intact. The transplant is accurate for treating problems that occur on the corneal surface.
Endothelial Keratoplasty
This type of keratoplasty in Delhi targets the deepest layer of the cornea. Compared to PKP, in this type, the endothelium is replaced with donor tissue, making this surgery a hit among people dealing with endothelial abnormalities.
Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)
DSEK includes selectively removing and replacing the descent membrane and endothelium. This design treats endothelial dysfunction, enhancing visual outcomes and improving recovery.
Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)
DMEK is a DSEK modification in which cornea transplantation performs only the descent membrane and endothelium. This technique promises to improve visual outcomes while lowering the likelihood of rejection.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)
DALK is a procedure that involves transplanting all layers of the cornea except the endothelium. It is used when preserving the patient’s critical endothelium, such as keratoconus.
Automated Lamellar Therapeutic Keratoplasty (ALTK )
In contrast to full-thickness cornea transplants, lamellar keratoplasty typically replaces corneal tissue layer by layer. This form of surgery treats specific corneal illnesses or abnormalitiś causing minimal damage to the cornea.
Corneal Transplant Surgery India: Top Things to Keep in Mind
Age is a major factor to consider
Younger Patients: The ideal donor cornea for younger patients should be from a young individual. Young corneas are healthy and improve the chances of a successful transplant. additionally, age-matching can help avoid complications related to growth, as a cornea that doesn’t match the eye’s size could cause issues.
Adults: In adults, the donor cornea does not need to match the age. Quality is more critical than age, and middle-aged patients will experience good outcomes.
Older Adults: In older patients, corneal transplant outcomes can be less predictable due to age-related changes in the eye. Older donor corneas may be used, but the success rate may be lower. Healing can also be slower in older individuals.
Corneal Transplants have a Waiting time.
The waiting period for a corneal transplant surgery in India is due to the availability of suitable cornea:
- Corneas are donated after death, so they should meet specific criteria for transplant.
- The availability also varies depending on the geographic location.
- A suitable donor cornea must match the recipient’s eye size, and in some cases, matching the patient’s age can influence the waiting period. If a younger or older donor is needed, the waiting time may be longer.
- The waiting time for a corneal transplant can range from several weeks to several months. In India, preference is first given to Indian patients and then to foreign patients.
- Many countries and regions have corneal transplant registries that help match donors with recipients. Being on a registry can help facilitate the process.
Post Transplant Care
Though corneal transplants are less likely to get rejected than other organ transplants, there is still a risk that your immune system will reject the cornea. Protect your eye from inflammation and trauma. Take precautions from dust.
Ensuring Safety and Compatibility in Corneal Transplants
Top Hospitals for Corneal transplants in India ensure corneal transplant compatibility by carefully screening both the donor and recipient. Donor corneas are sourced from trusted tissue banks, where the donor’s medical history is reviewed, and the cornea is tested for infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. The hospital also considers factors like the donor’s age, corneal health, and the timing of the donation. For recipients, pre-transplant evaluations assess factors such as eye health, immune status, and any history of rejection. These steps help minimize rejection risks and improve the chances of a successful transplant, fostering optimal outcomes for the patient.
Corneal Transplant and Cataract Development
After corneal transplant surgery in India, it is important to monitor the signs of rejection or loss. Graft rejection causes the cornea to become unstable, leading to failure.
Also, some patients develop cataracts after corneal surgery if there is trauma during the procedure. If cataract formation occurs, additional surgery has to be performed.
Top 3 Doctors for Corneal Surgery in India
Dr Sanjay Chowdhary: Dr Sanjay is a cataract and refractive eye surgeon with 30 years of experience in corneal transplant surgery. He works at EYE 7 Centre for Sight.
Major Gen JKS Parihar: He is a senior consultant at the Center of Sight Hospital. He has over 23 years of experience and is one of the best corneal transplant surgeons in India.
Dr. Suraj Munjal: Leading ophthalmologist at The Sight Avenue, Dr Suraj Munjal is a known name when it comes to the best corneal transplant doctors in Delhi.
Top Hospitals for Corneal Transplant Surgery in India
- Centre for Sight: NABH Accredited
- Eye 7 Hospital:NABH Accredited
- The Sight Avenue Hospital: NABH Accredited
What is the cost of Corneal Transplant Surgery in India?
The cost of corneal transplant surgery in India typically ranges from ₹80,000 to ₹1,0,0000(approximately $1800 to USD 22,00), depending on factors like the hospital, surgeon’s experience, type of transplant, and location. A penetrating keratoplasty (PK), which involves full-thickness corneal replacement, may be on the higher end of the scale. In contrast, a lamellar keratoplasty or DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) can cost more due to specialized techniques. The cost usually covers pre-surgery consultations, surgery, post-operative care, and medications. India is known for affordable, high-quality healthcare, attracting many international patients.
