A cornea transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with healthy donor corneal tissue. It is one of the most common and successful transplant surgeries, with over 90% success rate. Types include PK (full-thickness), DSEK (partial thickness), and DMEK (thinnest layer transplant). The cornea is the most transplanted human tissue worldwide because it has no blood vessels, making rejection less common than other organ transplants.

The three main types are: 1) PK (Penetrating Keratoplasty) – full-thickness cornea replacement for deep scars, infections, and advanced Keratoconus. 2) DSEK (Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty) – replaces the inner endothelial layer, used for conditions like Fuchs’ dystrophy. 3) DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) – the most advanced technique, transplanting only the Descemet’s membrane and endothelium (15-20 microns), offering fastest recovery, best vision, and lowest rejection rate. Dr. Gala will recommend the best type based on your specific condition.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the normally round cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing distorted vision. Treatment follows a progression: Early stage – Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses. Moderate stage – C3R (Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking with Riboflavin) to halt progression. Advanced stage – INTACS (Corneal Ring Segments). Severe stage – Cornea Transplant (PK/DMEK/DSEK). Dr. Jignesh Gala offers all Keratoconus treatments in Mumbai with advanced diagnostic technology.

Cornea transplant cost in Mumbai varies by procedure: PK (Penetrating Keratoplasty) costs Rs. 50,000-1,00,000. DSEK costs Rs. 60,000-1,00,000. DMEK costs Rs. 70,000-1,20,000. This includes donor cornea, surgery, hospital stay, and initial medications. C3R for Keratoconus costs Rs. 25,000-40,000. Pterygium surgery costs Rs. 15,000-30,000. Most insurance companies cover cornea transplant surgery. Our insurance desk provides detailed cost estimates and verifies coverage before surgery.

Recovery varies by procedure: DMEK offers the fastest recovery at 1-2 months for functional vision. DSEK takes 2-3 months. PK requires 6-12 months for full visual rehabilitation. Most patients notice significant vision improvement within 2-4 weeks after DMEK/DSEK. Regular follow-ups with steroid eye drops are essential during recovery. Dr. Jignesh Gala schedules follow-ups at Day 1, Week 1, Month 1, Month 3, Month 6, and Year 1 to monitor healing.

Cornea transplant rejection occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the donor cornea. Signs include redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and pain. Rejection rates vary: DMEK has the lowest rate (under 10%), DSEK has 12-15%, and PK has 15-20%. Prevention is crucial: use steroid eye drops exactly as prescribed, attend all follow-ups, avoid eye trauma, treat any infection promptly, and wear protective eyewear. If caught early, rejection can often be reversed with intensive steroid treatment. Contact Dr. Gala immediately if you notice any warning signs.

Yes, cornea transplant surgery is covered by most health insurance policies in India as it is a medically necessary procedure. All major insurers including Star Health, HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, Care Health, Niva Bupa, and Aditya Birla cover cornea transplant. Government schemes like CGHS, ECHS, Ayushman Bharat, and ESIC also provide full cashless coverage. Our insurance desk verifies your coverage and handles all documentation for cashless processing.

C3R (Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking) is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens the cornea to halt the progression of Keratoconus. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) eye drops are applied to the cornea, which is then exposed to controlled UV-A light. This creates new cross-links between collagen fibres, stiffening the cornea. C3R does not reverse existing damage but stops further progression permanently. The procedure takes about 30 minutes per eye, is performed as day-care, and costs Rs. 25,000-40,000. Ideal for patients with progressive Keratoconus.

A cornea transplant may be needed when: 1) Corneal scarring from infection, trauma, or previous surgery severely affects vision. 2) Keratoconus has progressed beyond what glasses or contact lenses can correct. 3) Fuchs’ dystrophy causes corneal swelling and cloudy vision. 4) Corneal ulcers do not heal with medication and threaten vision. 5) A previous cornea transplant has failed. 6) Congenital corneal opacities block vision. Dr. Jignesh Gala will thoroughly evaluate your condition using advanced diagnostics to determine if a transplant is necessary.

Donor corneas are obtained from registered eye banks after individuals pledge their eyes for donation upon death. In India, eye banks affiliated with AIIMS, state governments, and NGOs collect donor tissue. The donor tissue undergoes rigorous screening for infections (HIV, hepatitis B/C, syphilis) and quality assessment. The waiting time for a donor cornea in Mumbai is typically 1-4 weeks. Eye donation is a noble act – one donor can give sight to two corneal blind individuals. To pledge your eyes, contact your nearest eye bank or hospital.

Cornea transplant has the highest success rate among all organ transplants: DMEK has over 95% success rate for Fuchs’ dystrophy. DSEK has 90-95% success rate. PK has 85-90% for Keratoconus and 70-80% for corneal scarring. Success depends on the underlying condition, patient compliance with medications, regular follow-ups, and surgeon expertise. Dr. Jignesh Gala’s advanced surgical techniques, meticulous patient selection, and comprehensive post-operative care ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient.

Generally, cornea transplant is performed on one eye at a time. The second eye is operated only after the first eye has fully stabilized, typically 6-12 months later. This is because recovery requires close monitoring for signs of rejection, infection, and healing complications. Operating both eyes simultaneously would make monitoring difficult and could leave the patient temporarily without functional vision. The staged approach ensures the best possible outcome for each eye.

While cornea transplant is generally safe, potential complications include: Graft rejection (most common, usually manageable with increased steroids), Infection (rare but serious), Glaucoma (increased eye pressure from steroid drops), Astigmatism (especially after PK), Graft failure (requires re-transplant in 5-10% of cases), and Cataract formation. With Dr. Jignesh Gala’s expertise and meticulous post-operative care, the risk of serious complications is minimal. Regular follow-ups ensure any issues are caught and treated early.

Pterygium is a fleshy, triangular growth from the white of the eye onto the cornea, often caused by UV exposure and dust. Surgery is needed when it grows over the pupil causing vision problems, causes persistent irritation, affects astigmatism, or is cosmetically concerning. Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft (using the patient’s own tissue) has the lowest recurrence rate (under 5%). The procedure takes 30-45 minutes, is performed under local anaesthesia, and is typically covered by insurance. Recovery takes 2-4 weeks.

Dr. Jignesh Gala performs comprehensive pre-operative diagnostics: Corneal Topography (maps corneal shape), Pentacam HR (3D corneal analysis), OCT Anterior Segment (high-resolution cross-sectional imaging), Specular Microscopy (counts endothelial cells), Pachymetry (measures corneal thickness), Visual Acuity Test, Slit-lamp Examination, Tear Film Analysis, and Blood Tests. These tests determine the exact condition, best surgical approach, and baseline measurements for comparison.

Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive genetic disease where the endothelial cells (innermost layer of the cornea) gradually die off. These cells pump fluid out of the cornea to keep it clear. As they decline, the cornea swells and becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision (especially on waking), glare, and discomfort. Early Fuchs’ can be managed with hypertonic saline drops. Advanced cases require DMEK or DSEK surgery to replace the damaged endothelial layer. DMEK is the preferred treatment offering the fastest recovery and best visual outcomes.

You can book a cornea consultation by calling 077188 85245, sending a WhatsApp message to https://wa.me/917718885245, or visiting https://www.crystalcleareye.in. During the consultation, Dr. Jignesh Gala will perform a detailed corneal examination using advanced diagnostic equipment, discuss your condition, recommend the best treatment plan, and our insurance desk will verify your cashless eligibility for surgery if needed.

Both are partial-thickness endothelial keratoplasty procedures. DSEK transplants Descemet’s membrane with a thin stromal backing (100-150 microns thick). DMEK transplants only Descemet’s membrane and endothelium (15-20 microns thick) – the thinnest possible graft. DMEK offers faster visual recovery (weeks vs months), better visual quality (often 20/20), lower rejection rate (under 10% vs 12-15%), and stronger post-operative eye. However, DMEK is more technically demanding and requires an experienced surgeon like Dr. Jignesh Gala.

Yes, most patients need glasses or contact lenses after cornea transplant. After PK, rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses often provide better vision than glasses due to residual astigmatism. After DMEK/DSEK, glasses are usually sufficient. Scleral lenses are an excellent option for post-transplant patients with irregular corneas. Dr. Gala’s team provides comprehensive contact lens fitting services. Final glasses or contact lens prescription is typically given 6-12 months after surgery once the cornea has fully stabilized.

Cornea transplant surgery is performed as a day-care procedure under local or general anaesthesia: DMEK takes 30-45 minutes, DSEK takes 45-60 minutes, and PK takes 60-90 minutes. The patient can go home the same day. Surgery is painless, and most patients experience only mild discomfort, gritty sensation, and light sensitivity for the first few days. Dr. Jignesh Gala uses the latest surgical techniques and equipment to ensure optimal outcomes and patient comfort throughout the procedure.