About Corneal Transplant Programme

The SNEC Corneal and External Disease Department provides a full range of corneal transplant services, including full-thickness and partial-thickness transplants, stem cell reconstruction, and artificial cornea implants like the Boston keratoprosthesis for severe corneal disease.

It also treats conditions like corneal infections, scars and dystrophies, contact lens-related issues, ocular surface disorders, and dry eyes, and has at its disposal advanced imaging tools to accurately diagnose and monitor these conditions.

As SNEC is a WHO Collaborating Centre, it trains surgeons in the region and in partnership with the Singapore Eye Bank (SEB), performs transplant surgeries using high-quality donor tissue.  

Function of Corneal

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye. It plays a vital role in vision by:

• Allowing light to enter the eye
• Focusing light onto the retina
• Protecting the eye from dust, germs, and harmful particles

A healthy cornea is essential for clear vision. Any damage, disease, or scarring can significantly affect sight.

Understanding When a Transplant is Needed

A corneal transplant may be recommended when the cornea becomes damaged or diseased and can no longer function properly.

You may need a transplant if you experience:

• Blurred or distorted vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses
• Corneal scarring from infection or injury
• Swelling or thinning of the cornea
• Progressive corneal diseases (e.g. keratoconus)
• Failure of a previous corneal transplant

In these cases, replacing the affected part of the cornea with healthy donor tissue can help restore vision and improve eye health.

How to Get a Transplant

The process typically involves several steps:

1. Specialist Assessment

An eye specialist will evaluate your condition through detailed examinations to determine if a transplant is necessary.

2. Surgical Planning

If suitable, the doctor will recommend the most appropriate type of corneal transplant based on your condition (full thickness or partial layer replacement).

3. Donor Tissue Matching

Healthy donor cornea tissue is sourced through accredited eye banks, ensuring quality and safety standards.

4. Surgery

• The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia, although in some cases local anaesthesia may be used.
• The damaged part of the cornea is replaced with donor tissue.
• Fine sutures are used to secure the graft in place.

5. Recovery & Follow-Up

Regular follow-ups are important to monitor healing, remove stitches when appropriate, and ensure the transplant remains healthy.

Conditions we Treat

We care for patients with:

• Keratoconus (corneal thinning)
• Corneal infections (e.g. bacterial, viral, fungal)
• Corneal scarring and trauma
• Corneal dystrophies
• Corneal swelling (edema)
• Failed corneal grafts

Our services include: 

• Comprehensive Corneal Evaluation
  Advanced diagnostic testing to assess corneal health

• Medical Management
  Treatment of infections, inflammation, and early-stage conditions

• Corneal Transplant Surgery
  Including different techniques such as:

  • Full-thickness transplants
  • Partial-thickness (lamellar) transplants where only affected layers are replaced 

• Post-Operative Care
  Ongoing monitoring and management to ensure optimal healing

• Management of Complex Cases
  Including repeat transplants and advanced corneal disease