020 3993 1279DALK Keratoplasty
Revolutionise Your Vision with DALK and femto-laser corneal transplant surgery
Book a ConsultationAt OCL Vision, we offer advanced corneal transplantation techniques, including the innovative big-bubble selective Deep Anterior Keratoplasty (DALK) for keratoconus.
This procedure focuses on transplanting only the diseased portion of the cornea while leaving the healthy endothelial cell layer intact, significantly reducing the risk of rejection and offering a promising solution for patients with specific corneal conditions.
What is big-bubble selective deep anterior keratoplasty?
Big-Bubble Selective Deep Anterior Keratoplasty (DALK) is a specialised corneal transplant technique.
Unlike traditional penetrating keratoplasty, which involves replacing the entire corneal thickness, DALK targets only the diseased layers of the cornea.
This method preserves the healthy endothelial layer, minimising the risk of endothelial rejection and promoting better long-term outcomes.
What is Femto-laser DALK?
Laser assisted DALK to precisely cut the donor and patient cornea for a perfect fit.
This is a laser assisted DALK which uses the Zeimer Z8 laser to precisely cut the donor and patient cornea for a perfect fit utilising a mushroom shape. An additional charge of £1500 applies for cases of FemtoDALK. Benefits of Femto-DALK include reduced astigmatism and increase big bubble success rates.
Benefits big-bubble selective deep anterior keratoplasty
Discover the benefits of DALK at ocl vision
- Reduced risk of rejection: By preserving the endothelial cell layer, the risk of corneal rejection is significantly lowered.
- Targeted treatment: Focuses on only the diseased portion of the cornea and hence reduces the amount of tissue transplanted.
- High success rate: This technique is successful in about 80-90% of cases, with the remaining 10-20% treated using traditional penetrating keratoplasty if the big bubble layer separation is not successfully achieved.
Cost
How much does DALK Keratoplasty Surgery cost?
- Initial consultation starting from £350
- Follow-up appointments
- Personalised treatment plan
From
£13,000
Indicative Finance From
£240 p/m
PATIENT JOURNEY
The Procedure
Preparation
The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation to ensure patient comfort.
Technique
A bubble of air is injected at a specific depth within the cornea to separate the diseased layers from the healthy ones. This allows for the precise removal of the affected corneal segment without disturbing the underlying endothelial cells.
Implantation
A new, healthy corneal segment is then carefully positioned and sutured in place.
Recovery
Post-operative discomfort is mild and typically lasts for about a week. Eye drops are prescribed to aid healing, and the sutures are removed after 12-18 months.
Emma Laser Eye surgeryThe way I was dealt by Dr Laginaf was nothing short of outstanding. She went above and beyond and I would like to thank Dr Laginaf for the attention to detail.
Suhail VitrectomyGreat experience with Dr Chien Wong and his team. I needed to have three separate operations to repair a detached retina and poor NHS interventions. Amazing care and treatment and 2 years later still very grateful for their efforts.
Gordon Cataract SurgerySo much care, from the initial enquiry to the final check-up, every team member treats you as if you are the most important person they have ever dealt with. I completed my treatment feeling valued and with better than 20/20 vision.
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Keratoplasty FAQ's
View knowledge baseWhat is the advantage of DALK over traditional corneal transplant methods?
DALK preserves the endothelial layer of the cornea, reducing the risk of rejection and potentially improving long-term success compared to traditional penetrating keratoplasty.
How long does recovery take after DALK surgery?
Initial recovery takes about a week, with ongoing use of eye drops for several months. Sutures are typically removed after 12-18 months.
Is the DALK procedure painful?
The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Post-operative discomfort is moderate and can be managed with standard pain killing tablets for 1-2 days.
Will you need glasses or contact lenses after DALK?
Most people will require glasses or a contact lenses for optimal vision after surgery. The aim of DALK is to remove abnormal corneal tissue and replace this with healthy tissue, restoring normal corneal shape and clarity.
Where is the corneal tissue obtained from?
OCL Vision is approved by the Human Tissue Authority to provide donor tissue to patients from the HTA approved Miracles in Sight Eyebank in the USA. Wait times for tissue are as short as a week.
Who will my surgeon be?
OCL Vision has 6 consultant corneal transplant surgeons who have all been fellowship trained in transplant techniques and have specialised in this field.
