We are thrilled to announce that Mechi Netralaya has expanded its services with a fully equipped Cornea Clinic, offering a wide range of corneal surgeries. Located at Bahundangi Road, Kakarvitta (Mechinagar–6), Jhapa, and accessible at +977‑9862776923 (WhatsApp) or +977‑23‑566358/567628, the clinic is staffed by specialist Dr. Rajashee Shrestha, MBBS, MD (Ophthalmology), now dedicated to cornea services.
🧩 What Is the Cornea & Why Does It Matter?
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye, responsible for most of the eye’s focusing power and protecting against external damage. Diseases, injury, or degeneration of the cornea can lead to blurred vision, pain, and—if untreated—vision loss. Corneal surgery restores structure, improves vision, and relieves discomfort.
Available Corneal Surgeries
1. Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
Full-thickness corneal transplant: Removes all five layers of the central cornea and replaces them with donor tissue. A trephine creates a circular opening, matched exactly with a donor corneal button, then secured by finely tuned sutures (either interrupted or running) to control astigmatism.
Why it matters: Ideal for deep scarring, post-infection damage, or complex corneal failure cases. Visual recovery can take 6–12 months, with careful management—including suture adjustment and regular follow-ups—critical to achieving long-term clarity.
2. Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty (TPK)
A full-thickness graft is used in emergencies like destructive infectious ulcers. TPK helps remove infected tissue, preserve structural integrity, and prevent eye loss. Although vision restoration isn’t the primary goal, it’s necessary to save the eye and control dangerous infections.
3. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)
Partial-thickness transplant: Only the front and middle corneal layers are replaced, preserving the endothelium to reduce rejection risk.
Best for: Conditions like keratoconus, anterior scars, or dystrophies. Because the patient’s deep layers remain intact, healing is faster and structural integrity is better maintained compared to PK.
4. Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK)
Selective endothelial transplant: Only the Descemet membrane and endothelium are replaced, leaving the rest of the cornea intact.
Procedure details:
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Strip out the damaged inner layer.
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Insert a thin, donor-prepared disc through a small incision.
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Secure it with an air bubble to reattach—usually without stitches.
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Patients rest supine post-op to help the graft settle.
Benefits: Minimal sutures, rapid visual recovery (1–6 months), low astigmatism, and stronger eye structure compared to PK .
5. Corneal Collagen Cross‑Linking (CXL)
Strengthening procedure: Uses riboflavin drops and UV light to reinforce and stabilize a thinning or bulging cornea, especially in keratoconus.
How it works: Riboflavin-soaked cornea is exposed to low-grade UV-A, creating molecular bonds that stiffen and strengthen the corneal structure. It’s minimally invasive and quickly done in an outpatient setting, best for early to moderate keratoconus.
📋 Quick Comparison Table
| Surgery Type | Layers Replaced | Ideal Candidates | Recovery & Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PK / TPK | Full-thickness (5 layers) | Deep scars, ulcers, perforations | 6–12 months, higher infection/rejection risk |
| DALK | Epithelium + Stroma | Keratoconus/dystrophy | Faster, lower rejection, better structure |
| DSAEK | Descemet + Endothelium | Endothelial failure, Fuchs’ dystrophy | Quick vision recovery, minimal sutures |
| CXL | No tissue removed | Early keratoconus | Stabilizes cornea, outpatient procedure |
📝 Booking & Travel Details
📅 Book your appointment
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Website: Book online at mechinetralaya.org
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WhatsApp: +977‑9862776923
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Phone: +977‑23‑566358 / 567628
