Corneal transplants

Corneal transplants

A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure replacing part or all of the cornea, the transparent part at the front of the eye, with healthy donor tissue. Corneal transplantation is generally indicated for severe corneal dystrophy, a non-healing corneal ulcer, severe keratoconus or advanced corneal degeneration.

Il existe plusieurs techniques de greffe de cornée, qui diffèrent selon la couche de la cornée qui est remplacée :

- The partial anterior corneal transplant : this involves replacing the surface layer and part of the middle layer of the cornea, called the stroma. This technique is indicated for stromal dystrophy or mild keratoconus.

- The full-thickness corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty, PK): this involves replacing all layers of the cornea, including the deepest layer, called the endothelium. This technique is indicated for endothelial dystrophy, severe keratoconus or advanced corneal degeneration.

- Posterior partial-thickness corneal transplantation: the endothelial transplants (DMEK) or stromal and endothelial (DSAEK) may be indicated for endothelial cell dysfunction (Fuchs' dystrophy, cornea guttata).


Corneal transplant surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia and takes around 1 to 2 hours. After the procedure, the patient must take medication and follow a number of instructions to promote healing and avoid complications. Vision may improve, but it takes time for the transplanted cornea to heal fully and for vision to stabilise.

Un traitement prolongé pendant plusieurs mois par traitement anti-rejet, corticoïdes en goutte, est nécessaire.