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DMEK · DSAEK · PK — Cairo Corneal Transplant Centre

Corneal Transplant by Dr. Shaarawy

US-trained corneal specialist · 5,000+ corneal surgeries · Cairo referral centre

A corneal transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore vision — treating corneal scarring, endothelial failure such as Fuchs dystrophy, and advanced keratoconus.

DMEK, DSAEK, DALK & PK — all techniques under one roof · cost from $2,500–$4,500

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Book Your Consultation

Select a date and time — Dr. Shaarawy will review your scans and recommend the right procedure.

Which Transplant Do I Need?

The right procedure depends on which corneal layers are affected. Dr. Shaarawy will confirm after examining your scans.

Most advanced

DMEK

زراعة القرنية البطانية

Thinnest graft available — fastest visual recovery for Fuchs dystrophy and endothelial failure.

Learn more →Reliable

DSAEK

زراعة القرنية البطانية الجزئية

Larger donor disc with excellent outcomes — the established standard for endothelial disease.

Learn more →Full cornea

PK / PKP

زراعة القرنية الكاملة

Full-thickness corneal replacement — indicated for advanced scars, keratoconus, and stromal disease.

Learn more →

Evidence-based comparison

DMEK vs DSAEK — which is better for endothelial disease?

Both procedures treat endothelial disease (Fuchs dystrophy, bullous keratopathy), but outcomes diverge. Figures below are drawn from peer-reviewed research in Ophthalmology, Cochrane reviews, and the EBAA registry.

Cumulative 5-year immune rejection risk

Data: Stuart AJ et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018

DMEK— lower rejection riskDSAEK— thicker graft

Bottom line: DMEK reduces rejection risk by roughly 4× vs DSAEK over 5 years — the main reason it is the global gold standard for endothelial disease.

Criterion	DMEK	DSAEK
Graft thickness DMEK transfers only Descemet's membrane + endothelium	≈ 15 μm	≈ 100–150 μm
Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) Thinner graft adds no stromal bulk	20/25 median	20/30 – 20/40
Visual recovery time Thinner graft integrates faster	1 – 3 months	3 – 6 months
5-year immune rejection risk Less antigenic tissue → weaker immune response	1 – 3%	7 – 12%
5-year graft survival	95 – 97%	90 – 93%
Surgical difficulty This is why DMEK is concentrated in a few centres — Dr. Shaarawy was the first to perform it in Egypt	High — requires expertise	Moderate
Suitability for complex eyes DSAEK handles silicone oil or uneven cornea better	Limited	Excellent choice
Estimated cost in Cairo Difference is small — the decision is clinical first	from $3,000	from $3,500

Graft thickness

DMEK

≈ 15 μm

DSAEK

≈ 100–150 μm

DMEK transfers only Descemet's membrane + endothelium

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)

DMEK

20/25 median

DSAEK

20/30 – 20/40

Thinner graft adds no stromal bulk

Visual recovery time

DMEK

1 – 3 months

DSAEK

3 – 6 months

Thinner graft integrates faster

5-year immune rejection risk

DMEK

1 – 3%

DSAEK

7 – 12%

Less antigenic tissue → weaker immune response

5-year graft survival

DMEK

95 – 97%

DSAEK

90 – 93%

Surgical difficulty

DMEK

High — requires expertise

DSAEK

Moderate

This is why DMEK is concentrated in a few centres — Dr. Shaarawy was the first to perform it in Egypt

Suitability for complex eyes

DMEK

Limited

DSAEK

Excellent choice

DSAEK handles silicone oil or uneven cornea better

Estimated cost in Cairo

DMEK

from $3,000

DSAEK

from $3,500

Difference is small — the decision is clinical first

Choose DMEK if…

Diagnosis: uncomplicated Fuchs dystrophy or endothelial failure
Priority: best achievable visual acuity and lowest rejection risk
Eye is free of silicone oil or complex intraocular lenses

Choose DSAEK if…

Complex eye (silicone oil, complex IOL, uneven cornea)
Prior failed DMEK
Patient cannot maintain strict face-down positioning

Clinical note: the final DMEK vs DSAEK decision depends on topography, endothelial cell count, and corneal status — not on aggregate figures alone. Dr. Shaarawy recommends the right technique after examination.

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Diagnosis

Cataract?

Prior surgery

Travel

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$Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy — Consultant Corneal & Refractive Surgeon$

Why choose Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy?

Lecturer at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Corneal Surgery Consultant. Cornea clinical & research fellow at Devers Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon (under Prof. Mark Terry). First surgeon to perform S-DMEK in Egypt and the Arab world. Published novel DMEK and DALK techniques at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

+20

years

of corneal surgery experience

🇺🇸

Devers

Cornea Fellowship — Oregon, USA

+5,000

surgeries

documented corneal & eye operations

AAO

published

Smart Splash & Graft Exchange DALK techniques

+5,000

corneal surgeries

90%+

5-yr graft survival

+20

years experience

+30

countries — patients

4.9/5

patient rating

تجربة مريض حقيقية

Watch a real patient's experience with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy

A real patient shares the full journey — from diagnosis to restored vision after DMEK corneal transplantation.

Your Corneal Transplant Journey

Consultation & Imaging

Comprehensive slit-lamp exam, corneal topography (Pentacam), endothelial cell count, and anterior segment OCT. We confirm the diagnosis and choose the right procedure for you.

Pre-operative Planning

Donor tissue is ordered from an accredited eye bank. Systemic health is optimised. You receive detailed written instructions for the day of surgery.

Surgery

Performed under local or general anaesthesia. DMEK/DSAEK: typically 10–30 minutes. PK: 20–30 minutes. DALK: 30–40 minutes. You go home the same day or the next morning.

Week 1 Recovery

Face-down positioning (DMEK/DSAEK) for the first 24–48 hours helps graft adherence. Anti-rejection drops begin immediately. Vision is blurry but improving.

Long-term Follow-up

Visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, then annually. Final vision typically stabilises by 3–6 months. Lifelong anti-rejection drops required.

Patient Experiences

S.M.

Saudi Arabia · DMEK

“After years of blurry vision from Fuchs dystrophy, DMEK gave me 20/25 vision within three months. Dr. Shaarawy's team was professional throughout.”

K.A.

Iraq · PK

“Advanced keratoconus had taken my vision to counting fingers. Six months post-PK I'm reading without glasses again. Life-changing surgery.”

R.E.

Egypt · DSAEK

“I travelled to Cairo specifically for Dr. Shaarawy after reading about his DMEK experience. The outcome exceeded every expectation.”

Initials only — full names withheld for patient privacy.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before deciding on corneal transplant surgery

How long does corneal transplant surgery take?

DMEK and DSAEK typically take 10–30 minutes under local anaesthesia. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) takes 20–30 minutes, and DALK takes 30–40 minutes. Most patients are discharged the same day or the following morning. The pre-operative preparation adds 1–2 hours, so plan for a half-day at the clinic.

What is the success rate for corneal transplant?

Five-year graft survival exceeds 90% for DMEK and DSAEK in experienced hands. PK five-year survival is similarly high. The primary risks are immune rejection (5–10% cumulative over 5 years) and late endothelial failure. Early detection and treatment of rejection episodes typically saves the graft.

How long is the recovery period?

Initial functional vision returns within 2–6 weeks for DMEK/DSAEK. Full stabilisation typically takes 3–6 months. PK recovery is longer — 12–18 months for stable refraction — because sutures must be gradually removed as astigmatism is managed. You can usually resume desk work within 1–2 weeks.

Will I need to take drops for life?

Yes — topical corticosteroid drops (e.g., prednisolone 0.5% or 1%) are required lifelong to prevent immune rejection. Frequency is tapered over the first year from four times daily to once daily. Missing drops significantly increases rejection risk. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your graft.

What is the risk of rejection?

Rejection risk is approximately 5–10% cumulative over 5 years. It is NOT the same as failure — rejection episodes caught early and treated with intensive steroids are reversed in the majority of cases. Signs to watch for: sudden redness, pain, light sensitivity, or rapid vision blurring. Contact us immediately if these occur.

Does insurance cover corneal transplant in Egypt?

Egyptian national insurance schemes do not typically cover the full cost of corneal transplant at private specialist clinics. International travel insurance and some Gulf-region corporate policies do cover it. We can provide detailed cost documentation and a medical report to support your insurance claim.

Can I travel back home after surgery?

For DMEK/DSAEK, we recommend staying in Cairo for at least 5–7 days to confirm graft adherence and manage any early complications. For PK, a 7–10 day stay is advisable. Flying after graft surgery is generally safe once cleared by Dr. Shaarawy, typically from day 5 onwards with no face-down requirement.

What is the cost of corneal transplant in Cairo?

Procedure cost ranges from $2,500 (DALK) to $4,500 (DSAEK) per eye depending on the procedure type, whether combined with cataract surgery, and your location. Use the cost calculator below for a personalised estimate. A $1,000 deposit is required to book surgery and arrange donor tissue.

How do I know which transplant I need — DMEK, DSAEK, or PK?

The choice depends on the layer of the cornea that is diseased. DMEK/DSAEK replace only the back (endothelial) layer — used for Fuchs dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, and failed previous grafts. PK replaces the full corneal thickness — used for advanced keratoconus, stromal scars, infections, and perforations. A corneal topography and endothelial cell count are required to decide.

What is Dr. Shaarawy's experience with DMEK?

Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy performed the first S-DMEK (S-stamp DMEK) in Egypt and the Arab world. He trained under Prof. Mark Terry at Devers Eye Institute, Oregon — one of the world's highest-volume DMEK centres. He has published novel surgical techniques at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Smart Splash, Graft Exchange DALK).

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Medical References

Price FW Jr et al. "Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: prospective multicenter trial of visual outcomes." Ophthalmology. 2009;116(12):2361-2368.
Gain P et al. "Global Survey of Corneal Transplantation and Eye Banking." JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134(2):167-173.
Shaarawy Cornea Clinic internal audit — 5,000+ documented corneal surgeries, 20+ years experience.