Corneal Abrasion Treatment in India - Cost, Best Hospitals & Top Surgeons
In Africa, corneal abrasion is quite common and often results from heavy exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Africa has poor access to abrasion on cornea treatment, high rates of untreated eye conditions, and limited health care facilities. Thus, it increases the risk of persistent infection or injuries in Africa.
Corneal surgeries are the surgical procedures that are used to treat problems in the cornea, such as keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, thinning or tearing of the cornea, abrasion in the cornea, etc. Corneas are the transparent coverings of the eyes that cover the iris and pupil and protect them while allowing light to enter the eyes. Various cornea surgery types, such as Keratoconus surgery, Pterygium surgery, Corneal collagen crosslinking, keraring surgery, Cornea transplant, etc. available in India, can help treat corneal problems. Depending on the patient’s cornea problem, the doctor will choose the best treatment.
India has achieved marvellous growth in the healthcare sector in every field of treatment in the last two decades. India is one of the prominent tourist destinations for corneal surgeries, as Indian eye hospitals provide high-quality treatments at just a fraction of the cost in many Western countries. The combination of modern healthcare facilities and highly skilled ophthalmologists has made India the best country for various eye treatments.
Corneal treatments are widely available in high-income countries, but low- and middle-income countries are still struggling to provide timely treatment. Hence, the people of these countries often travel to India for the treatments. For instance, a lot of people from African countries like Ethiopia, Cameroon, Kenya, and Uganda visit India every year for corneal disease treatment, as the treatment is highly affordable to them and they can receive the best treatment at a lower cost.
What is Corneal Abrasion?

The cornea is the crystalline layer that covers the iris, the colourful portion of the eye. Additionally, it protects the black circle in the centre of your eye, known as the pupil. Damage to the eye's cornea is medically referred to as a corneal abrasion or injury. It may occur in a split second when some substance, such as grit or sand, becomes lodged behind your eyelid or you accidentally puncture your eye. It hurts and stings when exposed to light.
Cornea Transplant (Keratoplasty)
Most transplants can be performed while you are awake, but in certain circumstances, you will be sedated. Local anaesthesia will be injected around your eye as a pain reliever to keep your eyes from moving during surgery. The cornea you'll get a keratoplasty or cornea transplant procedure will be donated by a recently deceased individual. A local eye bank will prepare the cornea for your procedure by thoroughly inspecting and testing it.
- Penetrating keratoplasty was the gold standard for cornea transplantation for many years.
- The procedure is still often used today.
- This surgery involves having a little, spherical portion of your cornea surgically removed.
- Once the incision in your cornea is prepared, the donor tissue will be stitched into place.
- Lamellar keratoplasty is an innovative new method.
- The difference between this and penetrating keratoplasty is that just the inner or outer layers of the cornea are restored here.
- Several lamellar approaches exist. The donor tissue preparation and the thickness of the layer being replaced are the main points of differentiation.
- Healing times are cut down significantly.
What are the Causes of Corneal Abrasion?
Your cornea will probably be scratched by any item that comes into close contact with the front of your eyes. Let's have a look at some other circumstances that might lead to corneal abrasion:
- Poking your eyes with anything from your fingers to a pen to a cosmetics brush.
- Using contact lenses that are either unclean, broken, or not properly fitted to your eyes.
- Any foreign material 2that gets caught in your eyes, such as dust, dirt, ash, or any other foreign substance.
- Participating in high-risk activities such as sports without wearing any eye protection is very dangerous.
- Keeping your contacts in overnight or for a long time might cause serious eye problems.
- Chemicals of any kind
- Overly vigorously rubbing your eyes.
What are the Symptoms of a Corneal Abrasion?
Because the cornea is one of the delicate components, even the smallest scrape may cause excruciating pain and great unease. The following are some of the indications and symptoms of a corneal abrasion:
- Pain.
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Eyes that are red and bloodshot.
- The hazy vision
- Headaches.
- Sensitivity to the light
Corneal Abrasion Treatment in India

Your eye will be treated depending on the findings of the exam that your ophthalmologist performs on it. The following are some available choices for corneal collagen crosslinking.
- You may need to cover the damaged eye with a patch. This prevents you from blinking, making the corneal abrasion much worse.
- Use eye drops that moisturize the eyes—the cornea benefits from adding this calming layer.
- To avoid getting an infection in your eye, your ophthalmologist may recommend using the antibiotic eye ointment.
- Eye drops designed specifically to dilate or enlarge your pupil may be administered to you. This may be of some assistance in reducing pain.
- A specialized contact lens may be provided to lessen discomfort and hasten your recovery.
- If the abrasion on your cornea is minor, it should heal within one to two days. The healing time for a bigger corneal abrasion is estimated to be about one week.
Corneal Abrasion Diagnosis
When something scratches their eye, most individuals are aware of it very immediately. If there is pain in the eye, it may result from a corneal abrasion. Even a little scratch or cut to the cornea may cause great discomfort. It is possible to self-inflict a corneal abrasion and not even be aware of it. This can occur if you attempt to remove a contact lens from your eye while the lens is not really on your vision. A superficial scratch on the cornea may be caused by accidentally rubbing a finger over it. It is critical to get any damage to the cornea checked up by your eye doctor if any of the following apply:
- After suffering an eye injury, you will notice that your vision is hazy.
- You have just started experiencing discomfort in your eyes that does not go away after a few minutes or hours.
- Even if you can't see anything in your eye, you feel something is there.
- Something lodged in the eye may take the form of dirt, tiny particles, a splinter, or another foreign object.
- Bright light may cause the vision to become very sensitive.
Recommended Doctors for Corneal Surgery in India
CureIndia helps you choose the right doctor for your medical treatment. Most of the doctors in our associated top corneal hospitals have been internationally trained and are active members of many international medical councils and associations.
Let's hear from some of the most reputed doctors for corneal treatment in India.

Cost of Corneal Surgeries in India
Many factors can influence the total cost of corneal treatment in India, and hence it is different for every patient. However, on average, the cost of corneal surgeries in India can range from 200 USD to 1,000 USD. You can consider the estimated average cost of different treatments by referring to the costs list mentioned below.
Treatment |
Cost in India |
Stay in India |
Keratoconus Cornea Surgery in India |
$20,000 per eye |
5-7 Days |
The cost of cornea surgeries can range between 3,000 USD and 5,000 USD in the USA, which is a lot more than in India. India not only provides cost-effective medical care but also provides premium and world-class treatments.
If not treated, the corneal damage can lead to vision loss. Hence, you should seek medical help immediately if you have damaged your eye. India is the best choice for you, as Indian hospitals provide high-quality treatment at a very cost-effective price. Eye treatments in India are highly reputed, and a lot of patients from many different countries choose India over many other countries because of the best quality treatment at a very affordable cost.
Corneal Surgery FAQs
Removal of the offending object and administration of pain medication (such as a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine or oral analgesics) are the cornerstones of symptomatic therapy. In addition, it is important to use protective eyewear to prevent corneal abrasions.
Some corneal abrasions may take up to three days to heal, but the vast majority will be OK within only 24 hours. However, it may take up to five days if the corneal abrasion is very severe, affecting more than half of the cornea's surface. The epithelium may attempt to grow back in an asymmetrical pattern during this period.
Tiny scratches on the cornea usually heal within a week. The doctor may prescribe eye drops to maintain lubrication and prevent infection. This corneal abrasion treatment must be used exactly as prescribed.
Do not operate a motor vehicle or equipment if you have a corneal abrasion or if you have had an eye patch put on. With just one eye, you can have problems determining distances. Wear sunglasses or remain inside if you have light sensitivity in your eyes.
There are several factors that affect the total cost of treatments. These factors include hospital choice, city where the chosen hospital is situated, your surgeon’s fees, medication cost, travel cost, stay cost, type of surgery planned, any post-operative consultation, insurance coverage, etc.
The minor cuts and scratches to the cornea can be healed on their own. However, if the scratch or the cut is deeper, then surgery is required because it cannot be healed on its own.
Most of the treated corneas heal within a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 2 weeks. So you can plan a trip to India consisting of at least 4 weeks so that any postoperative consultations can be covered.
Selection of the hospital and surgeon can be extremely hectic and confusing. You can contact us through our website, www.cureindia.com/en where we help the patients in selecting the right hospitals and most reputed doctors according to their required treatment and budget.
If left untreated, the cornea can become infected and develop corneal ulcers, which can lead to vision impairments, other eye problems, pain, discomfort, and irritation. It can lead to blindness, so it is important to get it treated as soon as possible.
Recently, a bio-printed/3D printed or a liquid cornea has gained attention as it serves as a minimal surgical intervention. Besides this, research is going on to develop gene therapy, cell therapy, protein therapy, novel molecules, etc. for the treatment of damaged cornea.
The success rate of corneal surgeries depends on the eye problem the patient has and what kind of procedure is performed to treat that condition. However, the average success rate of these surgeries is 80% in the 1 year of follow-up.