Corneal Transplantation: Diagnosis & Treatment

Overview

A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy donor graft to restore vision, relieve pain, or repair structural damage. Corneal transplantation is performed when other treatments, such as medication or specialized contact lenses, are ineffective.

Indications for Surgery

A corneal transplant is recommended for patients with:

• Neuroparalytic Keratitis – A corneal condition caused by nerve dysfunction, leading to poor healing.

• Exposure Keratitis – Develops when the eyelids fail to close properly, causing dryness and inflammation.

• Severe Dry Eye Syndrome – Cases unresponsive to medical treatment.

• Pemphigoid – An autoimmune disease that leads to chronic scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva.

• Stevens–Johnson Syndrome – A severe skin and mucosal disorder affecting the eyes.

• Corneal and Conjunctival Burns – Chemical or thermal injuries leading to corneal opacity and scarring.

Types of Corneal Transplant Surgery

• Penetrating Keratoplasty (Full-thickness Transplant) – The entire cornea is replaced with a donor cornea.

• Lamellar Keratoplasty (Partial-thickness Transplant) – Only the affected layers of the cornea are replaced, preserving healthy tissue.

Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment:

• 5,500,000 – 6,500,000 KRW