Treatment

Corneal Transplant

Also known as Keratoplasty, Corneal Graft, Penetrating Keratoplasty, DMEK, DSEK, DALK

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

A corneal transplant replaces damaged or cloudy cornea tissue with donor tissue. The type of transplant depends on which cornea layer is diseased.

A corneal transplant (also called keratoplasty) is surgery to replace part or all of the cornea — the clear front window of the eye. Doctors use it when scarring, swelling, thinning, infection damage, or an inherited cornea disease keeps light from getting through clearly or threatens the eye 1.

Modern corneal transplant surgery is not one-size-fits-all. Surgeons match the type of transplant to which layer of the cornea is damaged 2:

  • Full-thickness transplant — replaces the entire cornea. The medical name is penetrating keratoplasty.
  • Back-layer transplant — replaces only the thin inner layer of cells that keep the cornea clear. Faster recovery; used for swelling-type problems. The medical names are Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).
  • Front-layer transplant — replaces the front layers while keeping your own healthy inner layer. Used for diseases like keratoconus. The medical name is deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Recovery ranges from a few weeks to many months depending on the type. Rejection of the donor tissue, infection, high eye pressure, and the new tissue failing over time are the main long-term concerns.

Types of Corneal Transplant

  • Penetrating keratoplasty (PK): full-thickness transplant.
  • Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) / Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK): back-layer transplant for inner-layer failure, often used for Fuchs dystrophy.
  • Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK): front-layer transplant that keeps the patient's own inner cell layer.

Layer-specific surgery is a major part of modern corneal transplantation 1.

Risks and Warning Signs

Risks include rejection, infection, high eye pressure, astigmatism, graft failure, and need for repeat surgery. Rejection warning signs are redness, sensitivity to light, vision decrease, and pain. These symptoms need same-day contact with the surgeon.

Cost and Insurance

Corneal transplant is usually billed as medically necessary when vision or eye integrity is threatened, but coverage depends on diagnosis, procedure type, facility, and surgeon. Costs include donor tissue, surgery center/hospital, anesthesia, surgeon fees, medicines, and frequent follow-up.

Common Questions About Corneal Transplant

It can improve vision if the cornea is the main problem, but retina, optic nerve, glaucoma, or amblyopia can still limit vision.

Next Steps

  1. 1Ask a cornea specialist which layer of your cornea is diseased and which transplant type fits.
  2. 2Review non-transplant options such as specialty contact lenses, cross-linking, or endothelial procedures if relevant.
  3. 3Plan for frequent follow-up and strict drop use after surgery.
  4. 4Call the surgeon the same day for redness, light sensitivity, pain, or vision drop after transplant.

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