Keratoplasty at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East, Mumbai
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye. CritiCare Asia Hospitals in Andheri East is an eye hospital in Mumbai that organises corneal assessment so that examination and imaging are brought together wherever possible. When the cornea turns cloudy or scarred, vision blurs, however sound the rest of the eye is, and glasses cannot correct it. If the retina and optic nerve still function well, a corneal transplant, also called keratoplasty, replaces the damaged tissue with healthy tissue from a donor. Because donor tissue cannot be scheduled, being prepared in advance saves time later.
When a Cornea Needs Replacing
The cornea can lose its clarity through:
- Infection: severe bacterial, fungal, or viral infection can heal into a dense white scar.
- Injury: chemical burns and deep wounds that leave lasting damage.
- Keratoconus: the cornea thins and bulges forward and distorts vision. Transplant is usually later, once glasses and specialist lenses stop helping.
- Corneal dystrophies: inherited conditions such as Fuchs' dystrophy, with slow clouding over the years.
- Swelling after eye surgery, when the inner surface cells fail, and fluid builds up.
- A failed earlier graft, which sometimes needs a second transplant.
Symptoms of Corneal Damage
These signs justify a visit to a cornea specialist in Andheri East, Mumbai rather than another pair of glasses:
- Blurred or hazy vision that glasses do not fix
- Glare and light sensitivity
- Pain, redness or watering, especially after an infection or injury
- A white or grey patch on the eye
- Distorted images or prescriptions that keep changing, as in keratoconus
- Vision that is worst on waking and improves later in the day, which can occur in Fuchs' dystrophy
Types of Keratoplasty
The cornea has distinct layers, and the surgeon replaces only the failed part wherever possible.
- Penetrating keratoplasty (PK)
the full thickness is replaced. It is used when damage goes through every layer, as in deep scarring, and fine stitches hold the graft. - Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)
the front layers are replaced, and the patient's inner layer stays. It suits keratoconus and front-layer scars, and keeping the inner layer lowers the chance of rejection. - Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK)
only the innermost layer, which pumps fluid out to keep the cornea clear, is replaced. It is used for Fuchs' dystrophy and post-surgical swelling, and visual recovery is often faster than after a full-thickness graft.
Donor Tissue and the Eye Bank
Donor corneas come from eye banks, from people who pledged their eyes or whose families consented to donation after death. The tissue is screened and checked before use. Patients are usually registered with the eye bank, and surgery may be called at short notice, so anyone on the list should be ready to come in quickly. Pre-operative tests and instructions are completed in advance so that, when tissue is available, there is little left to arrange.
The Procedure of Corneal Transplant Surgery
Before surgery
Examination confirms that the cornea is the true cause of vision loss and that the retina and optic nerve can use a clear graft. Corneal imaging maps thickness and shape. Glaucoma, infection, and dry eye are treated or controlled first. General health is checked, medicines are reviewed, and fasting instructions are given once a date is set.
During surgery
The surgeon removes the diseased portion, whether full thickness, front layers, or inner layer, and fixes the donor tissue in place. PK and DALK grafts are stitched. In DSEK, an air bubble placed inside the eye usually holds the graft against the cornea, and lying face-up for a period may be advised afterwards.
After surgery
A protective shield covers the eye at first. Antibiotic and steroid drops are prescribed, with steroids often continued for a long time to prevent rejection. Avoid rubbing the eye, keep water out, and avoid heavy straining.
Vision improves gradually and may take months to settle, particularly after a full-thickness graft, where stitches are adjusted or removed at different points. Glasses or contact lenses follow once the eye is stable. Follow-up runs for years and is scheduled in advance, because a graft needs long-term monitoring.
Risks and rejection
Results vary. The condition, the type of graft and the health of the rest of the eye all affect the outcome, so a clear result cannot be promised. Possible problems include:
- Graft rejection: the immune system reacts to donor tissue, sometimes months or years later. Caught early, it is usually treated with drops.
- Infection in the graft or the eye
- Raised eye pressure, which may lead to glaucoma
- Graft failure, sometimes needing another operation
- Irregular curvature or stitch-related problems affecting focus
Redness, pain, light sensitivity or a drop in vision after a transplant needs review the same day, not at the next appointment.
Keratoplasty at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East, Mumbai
The process begins with finding out whether a transplant is needed and which layers are involved. Other options are considered first where they suit the condition. If surgery is the right route, the ophthalmology team explains the type of graft, how donor tissue is arranged, what recovery involves, and what outcome is realistic for that eye, so decisions are made in one consultation rather than spread across several. Aftercare, including the follow-up schedule and rejection warning signs, is explained before the operation. If a corneal scar, swelling, or disease has clouded your vision and glasses no longer help, book a consultation with eye surgeons in Andheri East at CritiCare Asia Hospitals.