How Much Does Cornea Transplant Cost?

Published on July 8, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Medical Review by Sarah Nguyen, MD

Educational content; not medical advice. Prices are typical estimates and may exclude insurance benefits; confirm with a licensed clinician and your insurer.

A corneal graft replaces scarred or diseased tissue to restore sight, ease pain, and prevent blindness. Surgeons perform the procedure when medication and specialty lenses no longer help. Data from CareCredit and MDsave show retail cost spreads wider than any other common eye operation, largely because donor-tissue charges, facility overhead, and surgeon fee vary by region. The article explains average price, insurance coverage, and long-term care so patients see the full financial scope before scheduling surgery.

The price of corneal transplant surgery (keratoplasty) ranges from $3,900 in a high-volume outpatient clinic to $28,000 for a complex in-hospital case. Because this transplant restores or sharply improves vision, patients often accept the medical risk yet still need clear numbers before signing a consent form.

This guide delivers those numbers along with real bills, expert advice, and the full payment picture—so readers can compare every option and plan ahead.

Article Insights

• Average outpatient cost sits between $3,900 and $16,800.
• Hospital cases reach $28,000 when overnight care is needed.
• PK runs $18,000 – $22,000, while DMEK hits $16,000 – $25,000.
• Medicare patients pay roughly $765–$1,300 after Part B coverage.
• Medication and follow-ups add up to $2,000/year.
• Bundled portals cut self-pay bills to $8,500 – $9,400.
• Financial aid or medical loans smooth high deductibles and uninsured totals.

How Much Does Cornea Transplant Cost?

The cost of cornea transplant ranges from $3,900 for outpatient clinics up to $28,000 for in-hospital surgeries. Below are three clear tiers.

Outpatient clinics: CareCredit lists national averages between $3,900 – $16,800, driven by shorter facility time and no overnight stay. The MDsave bundle narrows that to $8,511 – $9,379 when patients pre-pay online.

In-hospital surgeries: NW Cornea Institute pegs complex cases near $28,000, especially when surgeons admit high-risk patients for observation.

Self-pay platforms: MDsave offers a flat $8,945 nationwide average, matching bundled anesthesia, donor tissue, and surgeon charge in one invoice.

Cost Range by Setting

According to Vision Source Rio, the average cost ranges between $10,000 and $28,000, reflecting differences in hospital facilities, surgeon expertise, and post-operative care. This aligns with other sources that place the typical price range for corneal transplant surgery between $13,000 and $27,000.

CareCredit reports that most corneal transplants performed in outpatient centers cost between $3,900 and $16,800, while in-hospital procedures can reach up to $28,000 for patients without insurance. The variation depends on the complexity of the surgery and the specific type of keratoplasty, such as penetrating keratoplasty or endothelial keratoplasty.

Regional differences also influence pricing. For instance, NewChoiceHealth provides detailed cost ranges by city: in Los Angeles, prices average between $5,700 and $15,700, while in New York City, costs range from $4,900 to $13,500. Other cities like Chicago, Houston, and Miami report average costs between $3,800 and $11,200, showing significant geographic variability.

Some specialized centers report lower starting costs; for example, the Virginia Eye Institute Surgery Pavilion lists prices from $1,750 to $5,500, likely reflecting outpatient or less complex cases. However, comprehensive care including donor tissue, surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility charges, and follow-up care contribute to the overall expense.

Cost by Type of Cornea Transplant

The procedure choice drives the biggest spread.

Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) replaces full corneal thickness and typically runs $18,000 – $22,000.

Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK, DSAEK) swaps only the back cell layer, averaging $16,000 – $25,000 depending on donor prep time and laser use.

Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK) removes the front stroma, costing $11,000 – $20,000 with reduced suture work. Vision Source Rio confirms these brackets.

Surgeon Mark A. Terry, MD, pioneer of endothelial techniques, notes that DMEK’s thinner graft shortens recovery but raises donor-tissue waste, adding “about $1,200 per eye” over PK in his facility.

What’s Included in the Cost

There are five core billing lines.

• Medical fees: surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility, and donor-eye bank combine for roughly 60 % of total expense.
• Pre-surgical screening: topography, endothelial cell counts, and systemic lab test expenses hover near $600.
• Post-op monitoring: steroid and antibiotic drops plus three follow-ups often reach $1,200 in the first 90 days.
• Suture removal (if PK): clinics charge $150 – $300 per visit.
• Emergency care for rejection adds unforeseen payment risk.

Dr. Francis Price Jr., MD, who has performed over 8,000 grafts, tells patients to “budget at least $2,000 beyond the quoted theatre rate for first-year medications and extra scans.”

Insurance Coverage and Copays

Data from Medicare.gov shows the 2025 patient share for CPT 65750 averages $765 in an ambulatory center.

Medicare Part B: pays 80 % of the approved amount once the deductible clears, leaving $600 – $1,300 depending on secondary plans. Healthgrades places hospital outpatient responsibility at $1,003 – $1,239.

Private insurance: Aetna and BlueCross typically cover medically necessary keratoplasty but may exclude donor shipping and some compounded drops, adding $400–$900.

Uninsured patients: platforms like MDsave or hospital charity care reduce sticker price by up to 50 %.

Real-World Cost Examples

Urban hospital setting: one PK, two follow-ups. Gross $19,800, Medicare paid $18,410, patient paid $1,200.

Self-pay through MDsave: DMEK bundle invoiced $8,900, zero surprise fees; patient completed healing on schedule.

Suburban clinic with high-deductible plan: billed $21,000, insurer allowed $17,200, patient faced $2,400 out-of-pocket due to remaining deductible. NewChoiceHealth shows regional “fair” $7,300 vs. “expensive” $12,300 in Indianapolis.

Long-Term Costs After Surgery

Here are three recurring payments.

• Medications: anti-rejection and steroid drops cost $500 – $2,000/year depending on branded vs. compounded.
• Follow-up exams: four visits in year one, two in year two. Each averages $150.
• Glasses or contacts: astigmatism from suture tension often needs specialty lenses ranging $300–$800.

Failure to budget these expenses risks treatment gaps that can trigger graft reject episodes requiring re-operation.

Factors That Influence Total Cost

Data shows six drivers.

1. Type of procedure: PK vs. DMEK vs. ALK shifts OR time and donor prep.
2. Provider experience: national experts command higher professional fee.
3. Facility type: private ASC vs. tertiary hospital changes sterile supply rate.
4. Donor tissue availability: eye-bank charges spike if overnight courier needed.
5. Geographic location: coastal cities post higher staff payment scales.
6. Insurance network status: out-of-network pushes un-negotiated charge.

Alternatives and Adjuncts

• Corneal cross-linking: hardens the cornea for keratoconus at $2,000 – $4,000 per eye and may delay transplant for years.
• Specialty contacts: scleral or hybrid lenses cost $1,200–$2,500 a pair yet sharpen vision without surgery when scar pattern permits.

Dr. Arnesa Howell, PharmD, writing for GoodRx, warns that delaying too long can lead to dense opacity and drive surgical risk—raising eventual costs to $30,000 or more.

Financing and Payment Options

• Bundled surgery portals: MDsave publishes transparent rates and requires up-front card payment—patients avoid “surprise” pathology invoice.
• Hospital financial aid: nonprofit systems reduce or forgive balances for incomes below 400 % of federal poverty, trimming bills 30-100 %.
• Medical loans: CareCredit and similar lenders spread $10,000 over 24 months at 14.9 % APR, keeping monthly expense near $485.

Ophthalmic administrator Susan Paretts says loan approval rates run higher when borrowers show a documented surgical date.

Answers to Common Questions

How long do I have to budget for post-op medications?

Most surgeons taper steroids over 12–18 months; anti-rejection drops may continue for life in high-risk eyes.

Is donor tissue a separate bill?

Yes. U.S. eye banks charge $3,000–$4,200, sometimes passed directly to patients when insurance denies tissue handling fees.

Can both eyes be done together to save money?

Sequential surgery remains standard; simultaneous grafts increase endothelial failure risk and limit cost savings.

Will my FSA or HSA cover the transplant?

IRS classifies keratoplasty as eligible, so pretax funds apply to premiums, copays, and even travel.