Corneal Transplant in Cape Town

Corneal Transplant Surgery in Cape Town – Restore Your Vision with Laser Precision

If you’re struggling with blurry or distorted vision due to a damaged cornea, corneal transplant surgery can help you regain visual clarity. At the Eye Laser & Cataract Centre in Cape Town, we offer advanced femtosecond laser-assisted corneal transplants. This technology allows for greater surgical precision, faster healing, and excellent long-term results.

What Is a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant (also called keratoplasty) involves replacing the damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue. It is often necessary when other treatments can no longer restore vision.

This surgery is typically recommended for:

• Keratoconus

• Corneal scarring

• Fuchs’ dystrophy

• Corneal damage after cataract surgery

By restoring the clarity of the cornea, patients can enjoy sharper, more comfortable vision again.

What Makes Our Technique Different?

Thanks to femtosecond laser technology, we can perform transplants with ultra-precise, computer-guided incisions. As a result, there is:

• Less trauma to the eye

• Faster recovery time

• A better match between donor and recipient tissue

• Reduced risk of rejection and complications

We offer five main types of laser-assisted corneal transplant surgery:

1. Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) – Full-Thickness Transplant

In PK, the entire corneal thickness is replaced. Using a femtosecond laser, we match the donor tissue precisely to the recipient’s eye for a more stable and predictable result.

2. Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK) – Outer Layer Replacement

In this partial-thickness procedure, only the outer corneal layers are removed. The healthy inner layers are preserved, which reduces the chance of rejection. ALK is often used to treat keratoconus.

3. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) – Preserving What’s Healthy

DALK also spares the inner corneal layers. Dr. Krüger uses the “big bubble” technique to gently separate and replace the outer layers with donor tissue. This method ensures:

• A safer procedure

• Reduced risk of rejection

• Clearer, more stable vision

4. Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) – Inner Layer Repair

DSAEK replaces only the damaged endothelial layer. Because the incision is smaller and requires fewer sutures, recovery is typically quicker. This technique is ideal for:

• Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy

• Bullous keratopathy

• Endothelial damage after surgery

5. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) – Most Precise Option

DMEK is the most advanced and refined transplant technique. It replaces only the Descemet membrane and endothelium, preserving as much of the eye’s natural tissue as possible. DMEK offers:

• Excellent visual outcomes

• Minimal rejection risk

• A smoother recovery process

Why Trust Eye Laser & Cataract Centre?

Dr. Johann Krüger is a renowned corneal surgeon in Cape Town with over 30 years of experience in advanced ophthalmic procedures. Patients choose us because we offer:

• World-class surgical care using femtosecond laser technology

• Comprehensive pre-op assessments and post-op support

• A personalised treatment approach tailored to your needs

• Convenient locations in Tygervalley, Waterfront, and Paarl

Book a Corneal Transplant Consultation in Cape Town

If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, or any other corneal condition, don’t wait. Clearer vision could be one step away.

📞 Contact our team today to schedule your corneal transplant consultation.