Depth mapping
OCT and cell counts to see which layer is actually diseased.
Corneal Transplant
Corneal Transplant
Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK)
Partial-thickness transplant at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj — only the diseased layer is replaced so your healthy inner or outer cornea can stay.
Partial
Only the damaged layer
Lower rejection
When your inner cells are kept
HOTA
Registered transplant centre
5,000+
Corneal transplants performed
Service Overview
Lamellar keratoplasty means a layer-by-layer corneal transplant. Instead of cutting out the whole window, only the scarred or swollen layer is swapped. Glasses cannot fix a cloudy cornea. You need a clearer window — not a stronger frame. Which layer is replaced depends on scans: front disease (often DALK) or back-layer swelling (DSEK or DMEK). If the scar goes all the way through, lamellar surgery is the wrong tool and PK is discussed instead. We will not force a “partial” graft onto a full-thickness problem.
What It Covers
Technique choice
Anterior lamellar versus endothelial (DSEK/DMEK), or PK if needed.
Donor tissue
Screened tissue matched to the layer being replaced.
The surgery
Diseased layer removed, donor layer placed — stitches or an air bubble, depending on type.
Follow-up
Drops and reviews until the graft is stable.
Who It Is For
Front-layer scars or cones
When the inner cell layer is still healthy.
Back-layer swelling
Fuchs’ dystrophy or similar endothelial failure.
Not every scar
Full-thickness destruction still needs PK.
How It Works
Decide the layer
Scans first. The operation is named after the layer, not a brand.
Anaesthesia
The eye is numbed. You should not feel pain.
Swap the layer
Only the diseased sheet is replaced.
Positioning
Endothelial grafts need face-up rest so the bubble holds the tissue.
Reviews
Graft attachment and pressure are checked in the first days.
Why Choose Us
More than 5,000 corneal transplants at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj, HOTA-registered. Lamellar surgery is chosen to spare healthy tissue — not as a marketing upgrade. If PK is safer for your scar, that is the plan we write down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lamellar keratoplasty painful?
Surgery is under anaesthesia. Afterward, scratchiness is common. Endothelial grafts ask you to lie face-up for a day or two — uncomfortable, not usually severe pain.
How long is recovery?
Often faster than full-thickness PK. Front-layer grafts still need weeks of care. Back-layer grafts can clear over days to weeks if the tissue sticks.
How much does it cost in Delhi?
Quoted after we know DALK, DSEK, DMEK or PK. Tissue and follow-up change the figure. Written estimate before a date.
Is LK safer than PK?
When the inner cells can be kept, rejection risk is usually lower. It is not automatically safer if the wrong layer is left behind.
Can the layer fail to stick?
Endothelial grafts can detach and may need a repeat air bubble. We explain that risk before surgery.
Will I need glasses?
Often yes. The aim is a clearer cornea. Residual astigmatism is common.
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Book a comprehensive eye evaluation. Our specialists will recommend the best course of action for your vision.