Barraquer is the number one hospital of reference in Europe for corneal transplants.
Barraquer Eye Hospital carries out more than 300 transplants per year.
No waiting list: Barraquer Hospital houses the first eye bank in Europe.
Professor Rafael Barraquer (cornea transplant specialist) has been appointed in 2017 President of EVER (European Association for Vision and Eye Research).
It is possible to selectively transplant the diseased layer or layers of the cornea (lamellar corneal transplantation or endothelial cornea transplantation DSAEK / DMEK).
Barraquer Eye Hospital has been a pioneer in the use of artificial corneas. Barraquer was the first hospital grafting an artificial cornea in 2006.
Barraquer has the best ophthalmologists specialized in keratoprostheses. Currently, the most common prostheses are osteo-keratoprostheses (tibia), odonto-keratoprostheses (dental), and Boston keratoprostheses (artificial cornea).
Keratoprosthese surgery is used in cases where one or more corneal transplants from donors failed.
Barraquer Eye Hospital: the best option for your corneal transplant surgery (keratoplasty).
The intervention lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. Corneal transplantation is usually performed under local anesthesia. The patient will remain at Barraquer Hospital for two or three days depending on their evolution.
Surgery can change the whole cornea (penetrating corneal transplant) or substitute the sick cornea partially (lamellar corneal transplantation).
Corneal transplant and cataract surgery can be combined in one intervention.
FAQS about corneal transplant (keratoplasty) surgery at Barraquer Hospital :
What techniques are currently used in corneal transplant surgery?
Currently there are several corneal transplant techniques.
- Penetrating corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty). It is to change the whole cornea.
- Lamellar Corneal transplantation (lamellar keroplasty). It is to substitute the sick cornea partially.
After a preoperative examination in the facilities of Barraquer Eye Hospital and depending on the condition of the patient’s cornea, the choice of a type of surgery will be made.
Until recently the most used technique was penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in which all layers of the cornea are replaced. During this procedure, the surgeon removes a small round piece of the cornea. A circular area of equal size is cut in the center of the donor cornea, and is placed and sutured in the patient.
Today, and thanks to the latest scientific advances, it is possible to selectively transplant the diseased layer or layers of the cornea. These are lamellar keratoplasty (lamellar corneal transplantation) or endothelial cornea transplantation (DSAEK / DMEK) usually performed at Barraquer Eye Hospital in Barcelona (Spain).
There are different lamellar transplantation techniques depending on whether the superficial, deep anterior corneal layers or the posterior corneal layers are replaced.
By applying this technique the refractive results are much more predictable, with less astigmatism, reducing recovery times and minimizing complications.
Lamellar corneal transplantation is a less aggressive technique than penetrating keratoplasty. In general, the patient has less risk of rejection of the transplanted tissue and less complications. In addition, the postoperative period is usually more comfortable and visual recovery is faster.
Another advantage of lamellar keratoplasty against penetrating keratoplasty is the greater ease of subsequent replacement of the transplanted tissue in case of rejection.
The Barraquer Clinic in Barcelona (Spain) is also using the amniotic membrane as an alternative treatment.
Amniotic membrane transplantation consists of the placement of a fragment of amniotic membrane on the cornea, fixing it with very fine sutures. The technique is painless, does not require hospitalization and is performed under local anesthesia.
The amniotic membrane is a layer of the human placenta that contains natural substances with growth factors that help to regenerate tissues and control inflammation.
This technique is used:
– As a graft to fill a corneal defect.
– As a coating to reduce inflammation of the ocular surface and promote epithelial healing without leaving sequels or opacities.
Which patients are recommended for a corneal transplant (keratoplasty)?
A corneal transplant is necessary if the vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily with contact lenses, or if painful swelling cannot be relieved with medication or special contact lenses.
It is recommended for people who have:
– Vision problems caused by thinning of the cornea, almost always due to keratoconus. In this case, a transplant can be contemplated when no less invasive treatments are possible (such as Crosslinking or Keraring or SAI rings)
– Scarring of the cornea due to infections (especially due to herpetic keratitis) or serious injury.
– Loss of vision due to Fuchs’ dystrophy (due to hereditary factors).
What are the benefits and risks of corneal transplant surgery?
Corneal transplantation is a very common surgical procedure. Barraquer Eye Hospital in Barcelona (Spain) is equipped with the most advanced technology that minimizes the risks that can occur during surgery. A successful corneal transplant will provide the patient with good vision for many years. Your quality of life at the visual level will improve considerably.
However, you should keep in mind that full recovery of sight can take up to a year. As a risk, there is a possibility that the eye will reject the transplanted tissue. Sometimes, rejection can be controlled with ophthalmic drops with steroids.
Often, after the transplant, the use of glasses or contact lenses is required for better vision.
Other risks associated with corneal transplantation include:
– Bleeding
– Cataracts
– Infection of the eye
– Increased pressure inside the eyeball (glaucoma)
– Corneal inflammation
– Problems with stitches to fix the donor cornea
Natural corneas and artificial corneas
The cornea to be transplanted normally comes from a donor. Before the cornea is transplanted, virus tests (hepatitis, AIDS and other potentially infectious diseases) should be performed. The donated cornea is analyzed to verify that its use is safe in surgery and that its transparency is adequate. It is always verified that the fabric meets the legal requirements.
Unlike other organs, such as the liver and kidneys, people who need corneal transplants generally do not have to endure long waits.
On the other hand, Spain has been a pioneer in the use of artificial corneas. The first center that grafted the artificial cornea was the Barraquer Institute in 2006. This alternative is used in cases where one or more corneal transplants from donors fail.
Another type of corneal transplant may be the autotransplant of the same patient.
What is the process of corneal transplant surgery at the Barraquer Eye Hospital?
Preparing for surgery
Once the date of the intervention is specified, you must go the previous day to the facilities of the Barraquer Hospital to take a series of preoperative exams.
To prevent bacterial growth around the eyes, makeup should be avoided for a few days.
How is corneal transplant surgery developed?
The surgery is performed in the operating room with the necessary sterility measures.
The intervention lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. Corneal transplantation is usually performed under local anesthesia or, rarely, with general anesthesia depending on the patient’s characteristics. The patient will remain at the Barraquer Hospital for two or three days depending on their evolution. Your stay in Barcelona will be about one month, to be able to perform the proper post-operative controls. It is also necessary to carry out a medical control after 3 or 6 months, depending on the patient’s postoperative course.
In case the two eyes have to be operated on, the surgery will be done separately by performing the surgery of the second eye one year later.
The immediate postoperative period
It is important to follow the following guidelines during the postoperative period:
– Relative rest. You should remain calm at home and refrain from straining, bending, and lifting right after the surgery.
– It is important to sleep on the unopened eye.
– When bathing, do not wet the patch.
Specialists at the Barraquer Clinic will prescribe drops to help the eye heal, as well as prevent infection and rejection. Medications should be given exactly as the doctor tells you to. Most patients do not suffer from pain in the operated eye, although some discomfort may occur. In that case it is usually enough to take a painkiller. If it does not improve or is very intense you should call your doctor or go to the emergency room.
It is normal for the first few days to see blurred and feel itchy due to inflammation and the presence of sutures. This will improve as time passes.
The first few days are very important for the recovery of the transplant.
The first weeks
The doctor will remove the stitches at a control visit. Some of these points can be left in place for up to a year or may not be removed completely.
It is important to wear safety glasses or eye protectors in situations that carry even a slight risk of injury to the eye, such as sports.
The postoperative follow-up lasts several months. A careful control by the professionals is necessary in order to avoid the complications in the long term.
Your vision may initially be worse than before surgery until your eye is adjusted to the new cornea. It may take several months for your vision to improve.
How much does a corneal transplant surgery cost?
Corneal transplant surgery cost depends on many factors. We would be delighted to answer your query. Please, fill in this form. If you have any medical reports or examination results from other centres, we would appreciate it if you could send these tests to us by email so we can offer you the solution that best suits your needs.
You can be sure that this information will always be treated with the maximum confidentiality.
I am a foreign patient. Will the medical personnel at Barraquer speak my language?
Qualified personnel are placed at your disposal and they will advise you in your language and accompany you during all the hospital process. In case the doctor does not speak your language, a personal interpreter can accompany you throughout all your visits.
What is the risk of corneal transplantation (keratoplasty)?
All surgery carries a certain level of risk. For this reason, it is important to carry out a preoperative consultation in Barraquer Hospital, since it allows the ophthalmologist to avoid unnecessary risks.
How long should it take before the patient can regain vision after corneal surgery ?
Visual recovery can be very slow and medication should be taken over a period of 6 to 12 months. Removal of the sutures, in most cases, will improve vision. This will be done based on the age, healing and other factors of the patient.
What symptoms does corneal rejection cause?
The transplanted cornea is an organ outside the body and the body can recognize it as something “strange” at any time, and attack it as a defense of the body.
This can happen immediately after surgery, in months, or even after years. Rejection occurs in about 20% of corneal transplants.
Medications that stop rejection can sometimes be given. Ask for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if you notice any signs and symptoms of rejection, such as:
- Decreased vision
- Pain
- Red eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Tearing
How long does the corneal transplant procedure last?
Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) is usually performed under local anesthesia or, rarely, with general anesthesia and it is usual for the duration of the intervention to be less than one hour. The patient will remain admitted to the Barraquer Hospital for two to three days depending on their evolution.
Can corneal transplant surgery be performed on both eyes in the same surgical intervention?
No, if both eyes have to be operated, surgery will be done separately. The time between the two surgeries will depend on how the patient progresses after the first transplant. It will usually take a few months before the second corneal transplant is done.
Can corneal transplantation and cataract surgery be combined in one intervention?
Yes, once the patient’s cornea is removed, the cataract is removed and if possible an intraocular lens is placed in the lens capsule.
Will the face change after the transplant?
After the transplant, the physiognomy of the face is not deformed or altered.
Best corneal transplant specialists at Barraquer Eye Hospital (Barcelona, Spain):

Doctor Rafael I. Barraquer
Specialist in cataract surgery, glaucoma, corneal transplant, refractive surgery and anterior segment of the eye
Medical Solutions Barcelona
Doctor Juan P. Alvarez de Toledo Elizalde
Specialist in anterior segment of the eye and refractive surgery
Medical Solutions Barcelona
Doctor María Fideliz de la Paz
Specialist in anterior segment of the eye, cornea, dry eye, ocular surface, corneal transplantation, ocular surface tumors, artificial cornea (keratoprosthesis)
Medical Solutions Barcelona
Doctor José Temprano
Specialist in dry eye, strabismus, anterior segment of the eye, keratoplasty and keratoprosthesis
Medical Solutions BarcelonaDo you want more information about corneal transplant surgery at Barraquer Eye Hospital?
You can also contact us on WhatsApp or Viber at +34 657 460 421.
If you want a quote, please send a recent medical report.
Barraquer Eye Hospital
Carrer de Muntaner, 314, 08021 Barcelona (Spain)
Nearest Metro Stations:: Muntaner/ Gràcia