Cornea Transplant Surgery in Turkey: Treatment Cost & VISA Guide

Cornea transplant is a surgical procedure in which a damaged cornea is replaced with healthy corneal tissue from a donor. An injury or disease can compromise the eye's function, but this surgery can restore vision, reduce pain, and improve it. It’s quite concerning that over 10 million people worldwide suffer from corneal blindness, much of which results from preventable or treatable corneal damage.

However, despite the high demand for treatment, many patients are unable to access quality care, and many of them remain undiagnosed. In the UK, around 3% of all emergency department visits are due to eye trauma, many of which are diagnosed too late. In the USA, there are at least 18,510 reported cases of eye-related injuries or illnesses annually, which are reported to disrupt the quality of life for patients. While countries like the UK, USA, and Australia boast world-class surgeons and advanced medical technology, the high cost of these treatments oftentimes prevents patients with financial limitations from receiving timely care. This delay can cause conditions to worsen, sometimes beyond the point of treatment, and has given rise to the trend of medical tourism.

Turkey is one of the most preferred countries for getting eye treatments such as corneal transplants, attracting patients from countries like the UK, USA, and Australia for affordable and high-quality care. Turkey offers shorter waiting times for quality surgical procedures, helping international patients also get adequate time for recovery and aftercare. The cornea transplant surgery cost in Turkey ranges from around $4,000 to $8,000, which is much lower than in developed countries.

For those asking, ‘What is the success rate of a cornea transplant in Turkey?', the answer would be around 90% for full-thickness transplants and up to 99% for partial-thickness procedures. Let’s learn everything there is to know about corneal transplant surgery Turkey here, from its cost and indications to the best doctors on this page.

What are the Indications for a Corneal Transplant?

Several diseases and infections can harm the transparency of the cornea and lead to disturbing visions. The following is the list of the diseases that indicate the need for a cornea transplant surgery Turkey:

• Keratoconus: Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea becomes thin and bulges outward into a cone shape, leading to distorted vision. Corneal transplant is the most effective solution for this problem.
• Corneal infections: Severe infections, such as herpes simplex keratitis, can scar or damage the cornea, which may result in the need for a corneal transplant.
• Corneal trauma: Injuries to the cornea from accidents, surgery, or foreign objects can cause lasting damage, which at times can only be treated with a cornea transplant.
• Chemical burns: Exposure to harmful chemicals can lead to scarring or loss of corneal clarity.
• Corneal swelling: Conditions like bullous keratopathy cause the cornea to swell and lose transparency.
• Inherited corneal dystrophies: Inherited corneal dystrophies are genetic disorders that affect the clarity and structure of the cornea.
• Fuchs' dystrophy: Fuchs’s dystrophy is a progressive & hereditary condition that causes the inner layer of the cornea to deteriorate, leading to swelling, vision loss and ultimately a cornea transplant.

What Are the Types of Corneal Transplant Procedures Available in Turkey? 

Depending on the layer of corneal tissue involved and the severity of the condition, the type of corneal transplant surgery Turkey that is to be used differs:

■ Penetrating Keratoplasty:

PK is a full-thickness corneal transplant, where the entire corneal tissue is removed and replaced with a healthy donor cornea.

• Patients with advanced corneal disease, scarring, and vision loss are best suited for this procedure.
• Recovery for PK takes longer, & stitches are removed over several months.

■ Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty:

In the DALK procedure, the outer 85-90% of the corneal tissue is removed, while the innermost layer called the endothelium is left intact.

• This reduces the risk of graft rejection, as the donor tissue does not include endothelium.
• Patients require shorter courses of corticosteroid eye drops, and wound healing is faster.
• Stitches are removed within 6 months.

■ Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty:

In Anterior lamellar keratoplasty, only the anterior layers of the cornea are removed and replaced, while the healthy inner layers are preserved. 

• The procedure varies based on the depth of corneal damage.
• A subtype called Superficial Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty is also available, which targets only the most superficial layers, leaving the stroma and endothelium intact.

■ Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty:

DMEK is a highly selective procedure where only the innermost corneal layers, namely the endothelium and Descemet’s membrane, are replaced.

• Procedure is recommended for patients with Fuchs’ dystrophy or chronic corneal edema, especially age-related.
• Since most of the native cornea is preserved, the number of sutures is minimal, and visual recovery is faster than with full-thickness procedures.

What is the Step-by-Step Procedure for a Cornea Transplant Surgery in Turkey? 

The doctor will first conduct a thorough consultation to understand your medical history, current eye health, and the reasons for the transplant in order to determine your suitability for a corneal transplant. Here is the step-by-step procedure for a corneal transplant surgery Turkey: 

• Step 1: Pre-Operative Tests: A series of tests, including biochemical tests, complete blood counts, eye measurements and imaging, along with other necessary examinations, are conducted to ensure you're a suitable candidate for corneal transplant surgery Turkey.
• Step 2: Donor Cornea Preparation: A healthy donor cornea, preserved under strict medical standards, is prepared for transplantation. A disc of about 8.25 mm in diameter is precisely cut from the donor tissue to match your eye’s curvature and size.
• Step 3: Removal of Diseased Cornea: The surgeon carefully removes a disc that is slightly smaller than the donor disc, usually measuring 8.00 mm in diameter, from the patient's diseased cornea. This step will help prepare your eye as a suitable fit for the donor tissue.
• Step 4: Grafting the Donor Cornea: The donor cornea is then sutured into place using ultra-fine and non-absorbable nylon threads. The surgeon can use various suturing techniques, such as continuous suture, separate stitches, or a combination of both, to secure the graft.
• Step 5: Additional Procedures: Depending on the patient's condition, the surgeon might need to perform additional procedures, such as cataract or glaucoma surgery, intraocular implant change, or vitrectomy, during the same operation.

How is Recovery After a Corneal Transplant Surgery in Turkey?

Recovery after a corneal transplant surgery Turkey is a gradual process that requires close monitoring and consistent follow-up care. Here are the three main stages of recovery following a cornea transplant in Turkey: 

■ Immediate Post-Surgical Care:

After the corneal transplant surgery Turkey, some discomfort is expected, but pain is typically manageable with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol. The sutures in your eye might cause a gritty sensation, but they shouldn't be painful. Your eye will be patched immediately following the surgery, and you'll be discharged from the hospital either on the same day or within the next few days after some close monitoring.

■ Follow-Up Care and Eye Protection:

You'll need to return to the hospital within the first week of the surgery for a follow-up examination with your ophthalmologist. To protect your eyes while sleeping, you'll be advised to wear a plastic shield at night. This will help prevent accidental rubbing or bumping of the eye.

■ Long-Term Medication and Care:

You will be prescribed steroid eye drops to lower the chance of graft rejection. Your ophthalmologist will also prescribe immunosuppression medications to suppress your immune system if there's a high risk of rejection. Make sure to follow your ophthalmologist's instructions carefully and attend all scheduled follow-ups for optimal healing and graft survival.

Why Get Cornea Transplant Surgery Turkey? 

Turkey has emerged as a top choice for corneal transplant procedures, providing high-quality medical care at a lower cost compared to Western countries. The corneal transplant surgery Turkey package include added services such as accommodation, hospital stays, and airport transfers, and the total cornea transplant surgery cost still remains up to 50% lower than in countries like the USA, the UK, or across Europe, where corneal transplants can cost anywhere between $10,790 and $15,000. On the other hand, cornea transplant costs in Turkey are between $4,000 and $8,000, affordable and accessible.

In cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya, patients benefit not only from affordable care but also from comprehensive corneal transplant surgery Turkey aftercare, which includes regular follow-up appointments, close postoperative monitoring, customised medication adjustments for optimal healing, and reducing the risk of graft rejection. Izmir, in particular, boasts high success rates thanks to its accredited hospitals and specialised surgeons who provide personalised and expert care. Whether you choose to get your treatment in Istanbul, Izmir, or Antalya, you can expect to be treated by experienced ophthalmologists and internationally certified doctors.

With state-of-the-art medical infrastructure, positive patient reviews, and affordable treatment plans, Turkey stands out as a top choice for patients wanting affordable corneal transplant surgery.