Keratoconus causes progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone shape, leading to visual distortion, increasing astigmatism and reduced contact lens tolerance.
When conventional treatments (glasses, rigid contact lenses, cross-linking) are no longer effective, a corneal transplant may be recommended.
A corneal transplant for keratoconus replaces all or part of the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue, restoring shape, clarity and visual comfort. At Centre for Sight we often use Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) or other graft techniques that preserve the patient’s own endothelium and reduce rejection risk.
The most common surgical treatment for advanced keratoconus, DALK replaces the front and middle layers of the cornea while preserving the patient’s healthy inner layer (endothelium). This greatly reduces the risk of graft rejection and provides long-term stability and vision improvement.
A partial-thickness transplant that replaces only the innermost layer of the cornea. While less commonly needed for keratoconus, this option may be recommended if endothelial damage or swelling is also present.
A full-thickness corneal transplant where all layers of the cornea are replaced with a clear donor graft. PK is typically reserved for severe keratoconus, scarring, or cases where other graft types are unsuitable.
An advanced evolution of DALK that uses femtosecond laser technology to achieve exceptional precision when preparing both donor and recipient tissue. The laser creates an exact match between layers, improving graft alignment, wound strength, and recovery time.
Please note that your consultant will recommend the most suitable treatment option tailored to your specific case.
| Procedure | How it works | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DALK | Front/middle layers replaced; patient’s own endothelium preserved | Keratoconus, surface scarring | Lower rejection risk; good structural integrity | Technically more complex; may not address posterior layer |
| FSDALK | Laser-assisted version of DALK for high precision | Keratoconus needing fine graft matching | Enhanced accuracy; improved outcomes | Requires specialist surgical skill |
| Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) | Full-thickness corneal graft | Multi-layer damage, trauma, graft failure | Comprehensive solution for advanced/severe cases | Longer recovery; higher risk of complications |
| ALTK | Thin graft replacement of anterior cornea | Superficial scarring or early keratoconus | Quicker recovery; less invasive | Less suitable for deeper disease |
You may be considered for corneal transplant if you:
Some factors may affect suitability, such as: severe retinal disease, uncontrolled glaucoma, ongoing infection, or conditions affecting donor graft acceptance. A detailed consultation at Centre for Sight will assess your individual suitability and guide the next steps.
Your consultant will provide a personalised risk-and-benefit discussion based on your eye’s specific needs.
| Benefits (vary by procedure): | Risks/side effects (not exhaustive): |
|---|---|
| Potentially significant improvement in vision clarity and quality when keratoconus becomes advanced or contact lens intolerant. | Graft rejection or failure (though partial-thickness grafts carry lower risk) |
| Improved comfort, reduced distortion, and often the chance to return to daily activities with fewer visual limitations. | Infection, elevated intra-ocular-pressure, suture-related complications |
| Advanced surgical techniques (such as femtosecond laser DALK) improve outcomes and long-term graft survival. | Visual recovery may take months, and outcomes can vary depending on condition severity |
Fill out our online form or call our team. Our enquiry staff will guide you through your first steps towards clearer vision.
We conduct advanced imaging (corneal topography, thickness mapping, endothelial cell count, retinal assessment and more) to assess your cornea in detail.
Meet your corneal specialist consultant, review diagnostics, discuss graft options, outcomes, benefits and risks in depth before you decide.
Once you choose your plan and consent, the surgery is scheduled. At Centre for Sight we perform corneal grafts in our dedicated facility with expert anaesthetic and surgical teams.
Structured follow-up visits, lifelong graft monitoring and 24-hour support are included to ensure your recovery and vision outcome are carefully managed.
Please contact us to obtain your personalised quote. Graft technique, donor tissue type and complexity influence cost.
It is considered when conventional treatments such as contact lenses, cross-linking or ring-segments can no longer provide satisfactory vision or fit comfort.
Recovery varies by graft type; partial-thickness grafts often offer faster visual stabilisation, while full-thickness (PK) may take longer (many months) for final outcome.
Many patients achieve significantly improved vision, but some may still need glasses or contact lenses depending on the graft outcome and individual factors.
The transplant replaces the diseased cornea, restoring structure and clarity but keratoconus is a lifelong condition, and graft health must be monitored over time.
Our specialists are internationally recognised in corneal grafting, we use advanced laser-assisted techniques and provide tailored after-care to support the best outcomes.
