Corneal Transplant
Corneal Transplant
Front-and-middle layer transplant at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj — used for advanced keratoconus when your inner cell layer is still healthy.
Your inner cells
Endothelium kept when it is healthy
Keratoconus
Common reason for DALK
HOTA
Registered transplant centre
5,000+
Corneal transplants performed
Medical Director and Chief Eye Surgeon, Neera Eye Centre & Laser Vision Pvt. Limited. LASIK, cataract and cornea transplant. 36+ years in practice. Fellow of L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. Pioneer of Excimer and LASIK in Delhi. Senior Consultant, Max Hospital.
Full profileMedically reviewed by Dr. Neera Agrawal · Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj, New Delhi
Why you can trust this page
The description of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) on this page reflects how the service is offered at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj, by the team led by Dr. Neera Agrawal.
Where a recovery time or a fee is not given as a fixed number, that is deliberate. Both depend on your examination, and both are explained before you decide.
This page is written for patients considering the service. It is general information, not a personalised treatment plan.
Service Overview
DALK replaces the thick front part of the cornea and leaves your own innermost cell layer in place.
That matters in advanced keratoconus or a deep front scar: glasses and even rigid lenses no longer give a usable image, but the inner pump cells can still be yours.
Surgery uses donor tissue for the front layers. Stitches stay for months. Vision improves as the surface heals and stitches are adjusted.
If the inner layer is already damaged, DALK is the wrong operation — DSEK, DMEK or PK is discussed instead. We will not “try DALK” on a swollen, failed endothelium.
What It Covers
Thickness and shape to see if the inner layer is truly healthy.
Whether scleral or rigid lenses still work — transplant is not automatic.
The front cornea is separated from your inner layer, then replaced.
A planned suture pattern; later selective removal.
Steroid drops and reviews like any graft.
Who It Is For
When C3R, rings or contact lenses cannot restore usable sight.
Opacities that spare the inner cells.
Swollen Fuchs’-type corneas need a back-layer graft.
Cost
The cost of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) at Neera Eye Centre depends on your examination and the plan your eyes actually need. We confirm a written estimate at consultation, before anything is booked.
There is no single figure that fits every eye. The technique, whether one or both eyes are treated, and any other condition found on examination can change the plan.
Your scans, the treatment that suits your eye, and whether extra care is needed for a second condition. The written estimate lists what is included before a date is fixed.
How It Works
The eye is numbed. You should not feel pain.
Diseased stroma is separated from your inner layer.
A partial-thickness donor cornea is stitched in place.
Protection and a steroid schedule from day one.
Months of visits; glasses or a lens after the surface is stable.
Before and after
What the first days look like depends on whether this is a scan, medical treatment, or a procedure. At Neera Eye Centre we explain drops, precautions, and the review date before anything is scheduled.
Bring earlier reports, your current glasses, and a list of eye drops or medicines. Tell us about diabetes, allergies, blood thinners, and any recent redness or injury.
Follow the plan you are given — observation, drops, or a procedure date. Avoid rubbing the eye. Call us the same day if pain, redness, or blurred vision gets worse instead of settling.
Watch
Patients and our surgeons talk about care at Neera Eye Centre. Use the arrows to move through the videos.
Eye Surgeon | Eye Specialist In Delhi, India
Video 1 of 4
Timing
Come in when symptoms affect reading, driving, work, or comfort, or when another doctor has asked you to get this checked. You do not need to wait until a problem is severe.
A consultation is how we tell you whether this service is the right next step, or whether observation or a different treatment suits your eyes better.
Why Choose Us
5,000+ corneal transplants at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj, HOTA-registered. DALK is offered to keep your inner cells — that is the medical reason, not a slogan. If the inner layer is unhealthy, we will not sell DALK.
Your surgical team
M.S. Ophthalmology · Fellow, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute. Pioneer in phaco and cataract surgery in Delhi, 36+ years of surgical experience.
MBBS, MD (Ophthalmology). Senior Squint Specialist trained at RP Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, with 33+ years in ophthalmology.
MBBS, MS – Ophthalmology. Vitreoretinal and cataract surgeon with 14 years of experience, including retina surgery, injections and lasers.
Gallery
Patient stories
Patients describe their experience at Neera Eye Centre. Their accounts are on the patient stories page.
Read patient storiesFrom our Google profile
Neera Eye Care Hospital is rated 4.7 on Google, from 243 reviews.
4.7
out of 5 · 243 Google reviews
3 months ago
I recently underwent Topography-guided PRK (Contoura) surgery here, and my experience was absolutely fantastic. I had a high cylindrical power (-3.25) and was honestly a bit nervous, but Dr. Neera agrawal and the entire staff made me feel completely at ease. They took the time to explain exactly why PRK was the safest and best option for me. The procedure was incredibly smooth, and my recovery is going exactly as they guided. The hospital is exceptionally clean, the staff is very cooperative, and the technology is top-notch. If you are considering getting rid of your glasses, I highly recommend dr. Neera and this hospital. Thank you for giving me a glass-free life!
Review 1 of 6
Frequently Asked Questions
When to call us immediately
Contact us on +91 8448448417 the same day, or go to the nearest eye casualty if you cannot reach us, if you notice any of the following.
Sight that was stable or improving and then declines.
Pain that builds rather than settles, especially with nausea.
Redness that spreads or deepens instead of fading.
Thick or coloured discharge, rather than mild watering.
A burst of floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain across your vision.
Rinse with clean water if a chemical has entered the eye, then come in immediately.
Disclaimer. This page is general information about care at Neera Eye Centre and does not replace a consultation. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not recommend a treatment for your eyes. Suitability, recovery, and cost differ from patient to patient and are confirmed on examination.
Enquire
Tell us a little about your eyes and the team will call you back to fix a time.
Related Services
Book a comprehensive eye evaluation. Our specialists will recommend the best course of action for your vision.
B-99, Bharat Ram Road, Opp. Commercial School, Darya Ganj, New Delhi – 110002, India
Darya Ganj, central Delhi — easy access for local and international patients.
