Freedom from glasses starts here.

Keratoconus

Freedom from glasses starts here.

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea – the clear, dome shaped front surface of your eye – gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone. A healthy cornea is spherical in shape, allowing light entering the eye to come into focus, forming a clear image.

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea – the clear, dome shaped front surface of your eye – gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone. A healthy cornea is spherical in shape, allowing light entering the eye to come into focus, forming a clear image. A cone shaped cornea however, causes blurred vision and may also cause sensitivity to light and glare. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, although it often affects one eye more than the other.

Keratoconus usually begins to affect people in their teenage years or early twenties. The condition will often progress at varying rates before stabilising in your 30s or 40s.

What causes keratoconus

The exact cause of Keratoconus remains unknown, although it is believed that the predisposition to develop the disease is present at birth. Factors that may increase the risk of developing Keratoconus include:

Vigorous eye rubbing
Having a family history of Keratoconus – Around 1 in 10 people with Keratoconus also have a parent with the condition

Treatment

Corneal collagen cross-linking is the only treatment that helps to slow or stop Keratoconus from progressing. Stabilising the Keratoconus aims to stop worsening of the disease and preserve your vision.

In the early stages of Keratoconus, vision problems can often be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses. As the condition progresses and the cornea becomes more irregular, you may have to be fitted with hard contact lenses such as rigid gas permeable contact lenses or scleral lenses. If the Keratoconus progresses to an advanced stage, a corneal transplant may be needed to restore sight.

Corneal cross-linking

PRK is a surface procedure with a healing phase while the epithelium regrows. SmartSight is a small-incision approach that removes a small piece of corneal tissue through a keyhole opening. Suitability depends on prescription, corneal measurements, and how your eyes respond to dry eye testing. Not everyone is a candidate for every procedure, so this is decided through assessment rather than preference alone.

Corneal transplant

Your pre-operative testing commonly includes:

Refraction to confirm your prescription
Corneal mapping (tomography) and corneal thickness measurement
Pupil size assessment (important for night vision planning)
Dry eye assessment and ocular surface evaluation
Eye pressure measurement
Retinal examination to confirm eye health

Corneal Transplant vs Other Corneal Treatments

Not every corneal condition needs a transplant. In many cases, there are options that can delay or avoid transplant surgery.

Corneal Cross Linking vs Corneal Transplant

Cross linking is designed to stabilise corneal shape and progression, especially in keratoconus. A corneal transplant replaces damaged tissue when the cornea is no longer clear or regular enough for usable vision. If you are exploring earlier-stage options, corneal cross linking may be part of that conversation.

Contact Lenses vs Surgery

Specialty contact lenses can often provide excellent vision in corneal conditions by masking irregular corneal shape. A transplant is usually considered when lenses no longer provide acceptable vision or comfort, or when scarring and structural changes make the cornea unsuitable for lens correction.

Corneal Transplant vs Artificial Cornea

The surgical time is usually short, but your total time at the clinic is longer because of preparation, checks before surgery, and monitoring afterwards. You should plan for someone to take you home.

Why Choose City Eye Surgeons for Corneal Transplant

Corneal transplant planning is highly individual. The best outcomes come from detailed assessment, careful technique selection, and long-term follow-up.

Specialist Corneal Assessment and Surgical Planning

We use detailed imaging and eye health assessment to select the most appropriate transplant type and set expectations that match your condition and goals.

Modern Transplant Techniques and Ongoing Monitoring

Layer-specific transplant techniques can support faster recovery in suitable cases, but monitoring remains essential across all transplant types. Follow-up care focuses on healing, pressure checks, and graft clarity over time.

Clear Aftercare and Long-Term Support

Aftercare is not an add-on, it is part of the treatment. Clear instructions and structured follow-up help protect your graft and support the best possible visual result.

FAQs

How long does a corneal transplant last?

A corneal graft can last many years, but longevity varies based on the condition being treated, the transplant type, and how the eye responds over time. Regular monitoring is important to keep the graft healthy.

How long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?

Recovery depends on the transplant type. Endothelial transplants often stabilise sooner, while PK and DALK commonly take months and sometimes longer as healing progresses and sutures influence corneal shape.

Is corneal transplant surgery painful?

Most people experience irritation and light sensitivity rather than severe pain, and discomfort is usually managed with drops and post-op care. Your anaesthetic plan is chosen to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

Can keratoconus be treated with a corneal transplant?

Yes. In advanced keratoconus, a transplant may be recommended when lenses are no longer effective or scarring has reduced vision. Earlier-stage options like corneal cross linking may help slow progression for suitable patients.

Book a Corneal Transplant Consultation in Melbourne

To discuss whether a corneal transplant is the right option for you, book through your appointment. Bring your medication list, any previous scans or letters, your contact lens history, and a clear timeline of symptoms or changes in vision. If you need guidance before booking, you can reach the team via contact us.

Book Now Book Now

Rediscover clearer vision

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea – the clear, dome shaped front surface of your eye – gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone. A healthy cornea is spherical in shape, allowing light entering the eye to come into focus, forming a clear image.

What is keratoconus?

Treatment

Corneal cross-linking

Corneal transplant

Corneal Transplant vs Other Corneal Treatments

Corneal Cross Linking vs Corneal Transplant

Contact Lenses vs Surgery

Corneal Transplant vs Artificial Cornea

Why Choose City Eye Surgeons for Corneal Transplant

Specialist Corneal Assessment and Surgical Planning

Modern Transplant Techniques and Ongoing Monitoring

Clear Aftercare and Long-Term Support

FAQs

Book a Corneal Transplant Consultation in Melbourne

Stay up to date with regular updates & newsletters from City Eye Surgeons.

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT US

OPENING HOURS

Freedom from glasses starts here

Contact

Patient info

Services