Private penetrating keratoplasty (PK) — a full-thickness corneal transplant — costs from around £6,000 per eye in the UK in 2026, with a typical range of £6,000–£9,000 depending on complexity, anaesthetic and donor tissue. An initial consultant consultation is usually £200–£350. PK replaces every layer of a scarred or diseased cornea with a full-thickness donor graft held in place by sutures. These prices are indicative and confirmed in writing at your consultation. Insurance is widely accepted.
What is penetrating keratoplasty?
Penetrating keratoplasty is a full-thickness corneal transplant. The surgeon removes a circular disc through the entire depth of the diseased or scarred cornea and replaces it with a matching full-thickness disc of clear donor tissue, stitched into position with very fine sutures. It is the oldest and most established form of corneal transplantation, and it remains the right operation when the whole thickness of the cornea is affected.
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front window of the eye. When it becomes permanently cloudy, scarred or structurally weak through its full depth, glasses and contact lenses can no longer restore clear sight — and a transplant is needed to replace the damaged tissue.
Donor tissue in the UK is supplied by the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) eye banks, which retrieve, screen and store corneas donated after death. Every graft is tested and matched to strict safety standards before it reaches theatre.
When is PK the right operation?
- Full-thickness corneal scarring — from infection, trauma or old inflammation affecting every layer of the cornea
- Advanced keratoconus — where the cornea is too steep, thin or scarred for a lamellar graft or for corneal cross-linking
- A failed previous graft — regrafting when an earlier transplant has clouded or rejected
- Corneal perforation or severe thinning — where the structural integrity of the eye is threatened
Not sure which corneal transplant you need? A consultant corneal assessment with scanning confirms whether PK, a lamellar graft or cross-linking is right for your eye.
Book a corneal assessmentPK versus lamellar graft options
Modern corneal surgery increasingly replaces only the diseased layer of the cornea, sparing healthy tissue and speeding recovery. PK — replacing the full thickness — is reserved for eyes where the whole cornea is affected. Your consultant confirms which technique is suitable after corneal scanning; the comparison below is a guide only.
In short: DALK (anterior lamellar) suits keratoconus where the back of the cornea is healthy; DMEK and DSAEK (endothelial keratoplasty) suit Fuchs' dystrophy and inner-layer failure and recover faster; and PK remains essential when the full thickness of the cornea is damaged. If your problem is early keratoconus, your consultant may first discuss cross-linking to stabilise the cornea before any transplant is considered. Read more about keratoconus.
What happens during penetrating keratoplasty
PK is carried out as a day case or short stay, under local anaesthetic with sedation or a general anaesthetic depending on your eye and your preference. The operation itself takes around one hour.
- The eye is anaesthetised and cleaned, and a lid speculum gently holds it open.
- A circular cutting instrument (a trephine) removes the full-thickness disc of diseased cornea.
- A matching full-thickness disc of NHSBT donor cornea is prepared to the correct diameter.
- The donor graft is positioned and secured with very fine sutures — placed either as a continuous running stitch, individual stitches, or both.
- The eye is protected with a shield, and you rest before going home the same day or after a short overnight stay.
Because the graft is stitched rather than self-sealing, the sutures remain in place for a long time while the join heals — often many months, and sometimes one to two years — and are removed gradually in clinic.
Recovery after PK
Recovery from a full-thickness transplant is gradual. Vision improves slowly as the graft settles and sutures are adjusted or removed, typically stabilising over 12 to 18 months. Patience and close follow-up are essential.
First days
The eye is shielded and comfortable but vision is blurred. Frequent steroid and antibiotic drops begin. Avoid rubbing, straining and dusty environments.
Weeks 1–6
Regular reviews check the graft is clear and settling. Drops continue on a tapering schedule. Light daily activity resumes; heavy lifting and contact sports are avoided.
Months 3–12
Vision improves steadily. Sutures are selectively adjusted or removed to fine-tune the shape of the cornea and reduce astigmatism. Glasses or a contact lens may be trialled.
12–18 months
The graft is fully settled and final vision is reached. Remaining sutures are removed and a definitive glasses or contact-lens prescription is finalised.
Lifelong
Long-term low-dose topical steroid and lifelong awareness of rejection. Any new redness, pain, light sensitivity or blurring is reviewed urgently, as early treatment protects the graft.
Most patients need a rigid or scleral contact lens or glasses to reach their best vision after PK, because the transplanted cornea heals with some irregular astigmatism. Your consultant plans this as part of your aftercare.
Penetrating keratoplasty cost in the UK 2026
Private PK pricing reflects the donor tissue, theatre time, the anaesthetic used and the complexity of your eye. As a 2026 self-pay guide — all figures indicative and confirmed at consultation:
- From around £6,000 per eye for a straightforward full-thickness graft.
- Typical range £6,000–£9,000 per eye, depending on complexity, anaesthetic (local or general) and donor tissue.
- Initial consultant consultation ~£200–£350, including corneal scanning, and often redeemable against treatment.
- Insurance: corneal transplant surgery is widely accepted by private medical insurers; we help with authorisation.
These are indicative figures. Because every cornea is different, your exact price is confirmed in writing after your consultant assessment. Compare related endothelial procedures such as DMEK and PDEK for Fuchs' dystrophy, or browse all treatment prices.