Layer mapping
Scans to confirm the disease really involves the full thickness.
Corneal Transplant
Corneal Transplant
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
Full-thickness corneal transplant at Neera Eye Centre, Darya Ganj — the entire central window is replaced when damage goes through every layer.
Full thickness
All layers of the central cornea
HOTA
Registered transplant centre
Stitches
Removed over months, not days
5,000+
Corneal transplants performed
Service Overview
Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a full-thickness corneal transplant. The cloudy central cornea is cut out as a disc and a matching donor disc is stitched in its place. You are here because glasses no longer help — after a deep scar, a severe infection, a failed thinner graft, or a cornea damaged all the way through. Surgery is planned once donor tissue is available. Recovery is slower than partial transplants: stitches stay for months and vision settles gradually. PK is not the first choice if only the front or only the back layer is diseased. Those eyes do better with DALK, DSEK or DMEK. We will not do a full-thickness graft just because it is the older, more familiar name.
What It Covers
Eye-bank tissue
Screened donor cornea co-ordinated through a HOTA-registered pathway.
The transplant
Diseased disc out, donor disc in, stitches placed in a planned pattern.
Stitch care
Selective stitch removal over months to control astigmatism.
Rejection watch
Drops and reviews so early rejection is treated, not ignored.
Who It Is For
Full-thickness scars
Injury, ulcer or infection that went through the whole cornea.
Failed partial grafts
When a previous layer-only transplant is no longer working.
Not for front-only disease
Keratoconus that still has a healthy inner layer is usually DALK, not PK.
How It Works
Anaesthesia
The eye is fully numbed. You should not feel pain.
Diseased disc out
A circular cut removes the full-thickness central cornea.
Donor disc in
A matching donor window is placed and stitched.
Shield and drops
A shield, a steroid schedule, and a first-night review plan.
Months of follow-up
Vision and stitches are adjusted over time — this is not a one-week recovery.
Why Choose Us
Dr. Neera Agrawal has performed more than 5,000 corneal transplants at Neera Eye Centre & Laser Vision Pvt. Ltd., Darya Ganj, a HOTA-registered centre. PK is used when the cornea is genuinely full-thickness disease. If a partial graft will do, we will say so — fewer stitches and a lower rejection load are worth that honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PK painful?
The surgery itself is done under anaesthesia. Afterward the eye can feel scratchy and light-sensitive for days. Pain is managed with drops and tablets.
How long is recovery?
Useful vision often takes weeks to months. Stitches may stay 6 to 12 months. Desk work is individual — many people return in a few weeks with a shield and restrictions.
How much does a corneal transplant cost in Delhi?
Cost depends on PK versus a partial technique, donor tissue charges and the length of follow-up. You get a written estimate once the type of graft is decided. We do not publish a single package price.
Will I still need glasses?
Usually yes. A full-thickness graft often leaves astigmatism. Glasses or a contact lens after stitch removal is common. The goal is a clear window, not always zero glasses.
Can the graft reject?
Yes. Redness, pain or sudden haze needs same-week review. Drops reduce risk; they do not make rejection impossible.
Is this an “eye transplant”?
No. Only the cornea — the front window — is replaced. The rest of the eye stays yours.
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.