Keratoconus is a progressive disorder in which the cornea gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing distorted, blurred vision. Early stages are stabilized with corneal cross-linking (CXL) and reshaped with intracorneal ring segments (ICRS); advanced cases with central scarring may need a DALK corneal transplant.
Keratoconus is treatable at every stage, from early progressive cases (cross-linking only) to advanced disease (DALK transplantation). We regularly treat patients flying in from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf. Transparent USD pricing, corneal cross-linking from $400 and intracorneal rings from $600.
Why choose us
We do both procedures in a single visit, saving travelers a second trip and giving the cornea one optimization window instead of two.
Tunnels are created by femtosecond laser, not blade. This means sub-millimeter ring depth control and lower complication rates.
When transplantation is needed, Dr. Shaarawy's Smart Splash technique safely decompresses the big bubble in DALK. The technique is in the AAO video library (1-Minute Video series).
Keratoconus needs follow-up every 3 months in year 1, then twice yearly. We coordinate this for international patients via tele-topography.
We treat Gulf patients for cross-linking, rings, and DALK on a compressed itinerary, and coordinate pre-op topography and post-op tele-follow-up remotely so a single trip covers the whole procedure.
What sets DALK with Dr. Shaarawy apart
Many surgeons perform DALK. The difference here is that Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy changed two steps of the operation itself and presented them to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the world's largest association of eye physicians, which published both in its teaching videos for surgeons. You can watch them yourself on aao.org.
AAO 1-Minute VideoWhat changed
In DALK, a large air bubble separates the front layers from the inner layer. Smart Splash is a safe way to release that bubble before the front layers come off.
What it means for you
It protects the thin inner layer from tearing, so your own inner cells stay and rejection of them is avoided.
Watch on aao.orgAAO Clinical Video · Editors' ChoiceWhat changed
If a DALK transplant needs replacing, only the front transplanted part is exchanged and the patient's own inner layer stays.
What it means for you
The benefits of DALK carry into the second operation, instead of moving to a full-thickness transplant.
Watch on aao.orgAfter DALK
Real videos of keratoconus patients after a lamellar transplant with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy. Every case is different.
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Patient from Erbil, Iraq
1:57 · Video page
After Superficial Corneal Transplant: Saudi Patient
51s · Video page
Superficial Transplant for Keratoconus: Egyptian Patient
1:10 · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant for a Child with Keratoconus
29s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Iraqi Patient Testimonial
58s · Video page
A Clear Difference After Superficial Corneal Transplant
29s · Video page
Advanced Keratoconus Treated with Transplant: Saudi Patient
37s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Egyptian Patient Case
37s · Video page
Corneal Transplant for Keratoconus and Corneal Opacities
19s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Patient from Fayoum
29s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant, No Rejection: Russian Patient
53s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Iraqi Patient Story
57s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant, Better Vision: Patient
29s · Video page
Partial Corneal Transplant for Severe Vision Loss
41s · Video page
Partial Corneal Transplant, Fewer Complications, Patient
45s · Video page
Superficial Corneal Transplant: Improved Vision Story
1:10 · Video page
Mohamed's Story: Corneal Surgery and Fast Vision Gain
1:15 · Video page
Corneal Transplant for an Advanced Case: Patient Story
1:26 · Video page
Patient Interview: A Successful Corneal Transplant
2:46 · Video page
Can a Corneal Transplant Restore 6/6 Vision?
1:13 · Video page
Keratoconus treatment map
Choose the description that fits you
Vision is still good, but a scan picked up keratoconus
At this stage the aim is to stop the cornea from steepening any further. Cross-linking does not sharpen sight. It protects the sight you already have.
Blurred or distorted vision, keratoconus not advanced
Ring segments flatten the steepest part of the cornea so the image lands more evenly. Scleral lenses reach a similar optical result without surgery, by vaulting over the irregular surface.
Advanced keratoconus, or a scar in the cornea
When the other options no longer hold, the damaged front layers are replaced and your own healthy inner layer stays in place.
This guide is for orientation only. Your corneal scan (Pentacam and topography) sets the treatment plan, not this page.
Book a corneal assessmentA patient from Saudi Arabia who works in the medical field. A corneal transplant done elsewhere had failed, and earlier consultations told him a second one was unlikely to help. He had the repeat transplant with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy.
"I work in the medical field, so I know the psychological side matters most."
Hawa, from Tripoli, came wanting a lens implant to be free of her glasses. Her scans showed moderate keratoconus, so Dr. Shaarawy started with corneal rings alone. Her vision has improved so far, and a lens implant in both eyes is the next step.
"Bless your hands, doctor... I mean better. I'm comfortable."
Procedures & pricing
Final cost is set after clinical examination. Local-currency equivalents available on request. Insurance reports issued for international patients.
| Procedure | Best for | From (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal cross-linking (CXL) | Stops progression by stiffening the cornea. Indicated for documented progression in mild to moderate cases. | $400 - $800 |
| Intacs | Intracorneal ring segments. Suits mild to moderate keratoconus. | $600 - $1,200 |
| Keraring | Versatile ICRS for moderate to advanced keratoconus. | $700 - $1,100 |
| MyoRing | Full-ring implant for advanced keratoconus where segments aren't enough. | $1,000 - $1,800 |
| Combined ICRS + CXL (single session) | The gold standard for progressive keratoconus. One trip, two procedures. | $1,200 - $1,800 |
| DALK (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty) | Partial-thickness transplant for advanced keratoconus with central scarring. AAO Editors' Choice surgical technique. | $2,500 - $3,000 |
A real patient tells the whole story, from keratoconus diagnosis to corneal stability and restored vision.
Common questions
Pick a day and time. The first visit is an eye exam with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy, who tells you which option suits your eyes.
Recent topography (Pentacam, OCT, or corneal map) plus your refraction is enough for an initial assessment. Reply within 24 hours with whether CXL, rings, combined CXL+ICRS, or transplantation is the right call, and the full price.
What does cross-linking actually do?
Two steps: pick a stage with the slider, then try a treatment to see what each one changes in the cornea.
1. Pick a stage
2. Try a treatment:
Healthy cornea
The corneal surface is regular and its thickness is normal.
Early stage
Part of the cornea starts to thin and bulge, and the glasses prescription may change often.
Moderate stage
The bulge grows and vision gets blurrier, even with glasses.
Advanced stage
At the advanced stage the cornea is too thin for cross-linking. The answer is a lamellar transplant (DALK). Do not wait to get here.
Without cross-linking, steepening and thinning can continue.
Cross-linking stops the cone at this stage. It does not return the cornea to its original shape.
Rings reshape the cone and reduce the bulge, so vision improves, but they do not stop progression. That is why they are usually combined with cross-linking.
Cross-linking is not the answer at the advanced stage: the cornea is too thin and scars do not reverse. The treatment here is a DALK transplant, so do not postpone cross-linking until this point.
DALK replaces the front layers with a healthy donor cornea and keeps your own inner layer, so the surface is regular again.
Illustration only. A corneal scan (Pentacam) decides the stage and the treatment.
