Cornea Transplant in Turkey
Cornea transplant is today considered the most suitable, safe, and effective treatment for vision problems caused by diseases affecting the cornea. In Turkey, the source of the transplanted cornea comes from the Turkish Eye Bank, where hospitals in Turkey find a donor cornea that matches the patient. They also carry out all necessary procedures.
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Cost of Cornea Transplant in Turkey:
- Average cost of a cornea transplant in Turkey: $9,000
- Lowest cost of a cornea transplant in Turkey: $6,000
- Highest cost of a cornea transplant in Turkey: $11,000
Cost of Cornea Transplant in Turkey vs. Other Countries:
- USA: $28,000
- Germany: $16,000
- France: $15,000
- Spain: $16,000
- Turkey: $7,000
If you’re interested in traveling for a cornea transplant in Turkey, contact us to guide you to the best specialized hospitals with the highest success rates and the lowest possible treatment costs. All you need to do is contact us.
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Video with Health Information about Cornea Transplant in Turkey:
In the video, you’ll find all the health details related to cornea transplants in Turkey, including an interview with a Turkish professor specializing in cornea transplants.
Cornea Transplant Timeline in Turkey:
- Duration of the surgery: 1 to 2 hours
- Hospital stay: 1 day
- Duration of stay in Turkey: About a month
- Full recovery time: A year or more
Health Information about Cornea Transplant:
What is Cornea Transplant Surgery? Cornea transplant is a surgical procedure that aims to replace the diseased or scarred corneal tissue with healthy tissue from a deceased donor.
Who Needs a Cornea Transplant? A healthy and clear cornea is essential for good vision. When the cornea becomes damaged due to an injury or disease, it may swell, scar, or deform severely, greatly affecting vision. Certain conditions can affect the clarity of the cornea, leading to an increased risk of corneal failure. These conditions include:
- Scarring from infections like herpes eye and fungal keratitis
- Scarring from trichiasis (when eyelashes grow inward and scratch the cornea)
- Genetic conditions like Fuchs’ dystrophy
- Eye diseases like advanced keratoconus
- Thinning of the cornea and irregular corneal shape (such as keratoconus)
- Rare complications from LASIK surgery
- Chemical burns to the cornea or damage from an eye injury
- Severe corneal edema (swelling)
- Rejection of a previous cornea transplant
- Corneal failure due to cataract surgery complications
Types of Cornea Transplant Surgery: There are two types of cornea transplant surgeries:
- Full-thickness cornea transplant (traditional procedure), also known as penetrating keratoplasty.
- Posterior lamellar keratoplasty, also known as endothelial keratoplasty.
Risks of Cornea Transplant Surgery: Although cornea transplant surgery is generally safe, some complications may occur, such as:
- Eye infections
- Increased occurrence of lens clouding
- Increased intraocular pressure
- Issues with the sutures used to secure the donor cornea
- Rejection of the new cornea
- Swelling of the cornea
Pre-surgery Process for Cornea Transplant: Once an ophthalmologist decides that a cornea transplant is the best option, the patient’s name is placed on a list at a local eye bank. The patient may need to wait several days or weeks until suitable tissue from a donor is available for the transplant.
Before the transplant, the donor cornea is carefully examined to ensure it is free from diseases like hepatitis or HIV. Only donor corneas that meet these strict guidelines are used in corneal transplant surgeries to ensure the safety and health of the recipient.
During Cornea Transplant Surgery: Before beginning the procedure, the patient’s ophthalmologist will determine whether to use local or general anesthesia based on the patient’s health, age, and the severity of the eye condition.
If local anesthesia is used, a needle is injected around the eye to relax the muscles that control eyelid and eye movements. Then, eye drops are used to numb the eye. The patient remains awake during the procedure, and most people do not report any discomfort during the surgery.
After the anesthesia, a tool called a lid speculum is used to keep the eyelids open. The surgeon then measures the affected corneal area to determine the appropriate size of the donor tissue needed.
Traditional Cornea Transplant Surgery: During traditional cornea transplant surgery (penetrating keratoplasty), a full-thickness circular section of the diseased or damaged cornea is removed using a surgical cutting tool called a trephine or femtosecond laser. A matching “button” of donor tissue is then placed and stitched into position. The sutures typically remain in place for a year or longer after surgery. Finally, a plastic shield is placed over the eye for protection during recovery.
Penetrating keratoplasty usually takes between one to two hours, and the patient can return home shortly after surgery.
Endothelial Cornea Transplant Surgery: In endothelial keratoplasty, only the inner layer of the cornea (the endothelium) is selectively replaced, leaving the healthy corneal tissue intact. The endothelium controls the fluid balance within the cornea, and if it is damaged, it can lead to significant swelling and vision loss.
In endothelial keratoplasty, the surgeon makes a small incision and places a thin disc of donor tissue with healthy endothelial cells on the back surface of the cornea. An air bubble is used to position the new endothelial layer in place. The small incision typically heals on its own and does not require stitches.
Post-surgery Process for Cornea Transplant: Recovery from a cornea transplant can take a year or more. Initially, vision may be blurry in the first few months, and in some cases, it may be worse than before the transplant, while the eye adjusts to the new cornea. As vision improves, the patient will gradually be able to return to normal activities. In the early weeks, heavy exercise and lifting should be avoided. However, most patients can return to work within a week, depending on the nature of their job and how quickly their vision improves.
Steroid eye drops will be prescribed for several months to help the body accept the new cornea, along with other medications to control infections, discomfort, and swelling. The patient should keep their eye protected at all times by wearing a shield or glasses.
If stitches were used during the surgery, they are usually removed three to 17 months after surgery, depending on the patient’s eye health and recovery rate. Adjustments may be made to the stitches surrounding the new corneal tissue to reduce the amount of astigmatism caused by the irregular surface of the eye.
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