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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
When the cornea is too cloudy or distorted to see through, a corneal transplant replaces part or all of it with healthy donor tissue. Modern partial-thickness techniques have transformed outcomes.
What's involved
What to expect — step by step.
Standard
Donor tissue from an eye bank
Every transplanted cornea comes from a deceased donor. Eye banks screen extensively for infectious disease and tissue quality. Wait times in the US are usually short.
Most common today
DMEK / DSAEK
Partial-thickness transplant for endothelial disease. Faster recovery and better vision than full-thickness. Often combined with cataract surgery.
Stromal disease
DALK
Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty — replaces the stroma but spares your own endothelium. Reduces rejection risk for diseases like keratoconus.
Full-thickness
Penetrating keratoplasty (PK)
Replaces the entire cornea when partial techniques aren't an option. Longer recovery, more astigmatism, and higher rejection risk than partial techniques.
Come in if
After transplant, any new redness, pain, light sensitivity, or vision change — early signs of rejection that respond to prompt treatment. Don't wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
How long does recovery take?+
DMEK: a few weeks to months of visual recovery. DSAEK: a few months. PK: vision continues to evolve for a year or more. Many patients return to work within weeks of a partial-thickness transplant.
Will my body reject the donor tissue?+
Rejection happens in a minority of patients and is usually treatable with steroid drops when caught early. Partial-thickness transplants have lower rejection rates than full-thickness ones.
Do I need glasses after?+
Most patients do. Modern partial-thickness transplants leave less astigmatism than full-thickness ones, but glasses or a contact lens often refine the final result.
How long does the graft last?+
DMEK and DSAEK have excellent long-term survival. PK grafts last many years in most patients; some need replacement after a couple of decades. Lifestyle and underlying disease affect longevity.
Is there a long waiting list?+
In the United States, wait times are typically short — often weeks. Eye banks coordinate to match donor tissue to scheduled surgeries.