I need Corneal Transplant surgery to replace the cornea. Can anyone recommend affordable hospitals in Los Angeles with skilled surgeons?

a month later

Thank you for reaching out with your question. Corneal transplant surgery, also known as keratoplasty, is an important procedure for those suffering from corneal damage or disease. Choosing a hospital with skilled surgeons and affordable rates is crucial for the best outcome and a smooth recovery.

Los Angeles has several top-rated hospitals that specialize in corneal transplants. Below are some hospitals in Los Angeles known for offering skilled surgeons and high-quality care, while also providing affordable treatment options:

  1. UCLA Stein Eye Institute
    Location: 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
    Specialty: The UCLA Stein Eye Institute is one of the leading centers for eye care in the United States and offers expert treatment for corneal diseases, including corneal transplants. Their team of experienced ophthalmologists specializes in the latest corneal transplant techniques.
    Why Choose UCLA Stein Eye Institute?: UCLA is renowned for its cutting-edge research, high success rates, and compassionate care. They provide both penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK), based on the patient's condition.
    Affordability: UCLA Stein Eye Institute works with many insurance providers, and they also have financial assistance programs to help with treatment costs. It's recommended to contact their billing department for a personalized cost estimate.

  2. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Location: 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
    Specialty: Cedars-Sinai is a prestigious hospital known for its expertise in ophthalmology and offers comprehensive care for corneal conditions, including corneal transplant surgery. Their ophthalmology department has experienced surgeons who specialize in advanced corneal surgeries.
    Why Choose Cedars-Sinai?: Cedars-Sinai offers world-class medical care and utilizes the latest technologies in corneal transplants to ensure successful outcomes. Their team of surgeons has a wealth of experience in treating complex corneal conditions.
    Affordability: Cedars-Sinai works with a wide range of insurance providers and offers financing options for patients without insurance. It's important to discuss your financial situation with their team to explore available options.

  3. Los Angeles Eye Institute
    Location: 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA
    Specialty: The Los Angeles Eye Institute provides specialized eye care services, including corneal transplants. Their experienced ophthalmologists offer the latest surgical techniques for corneal replacement, such as DMEK (Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) and DSEK (Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty).
    Why Choose Los Angeles Eye Institute?: The institute has a strong reputation for providing personalized care with excellent results. Their surgeons are skilled in performing both traditional and newer, less invasive transplant techniques.
    Affordability: The Los Angeles Eye Institute offers competitive pricing for corneal transplants and works with most major insurance plans. They also provide flexible financing options for patients.

  4. Keck Medicine of USC – USC Roski Eye Institute
    Location: 1450 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA
    Specialty: Keck Medicine of USC’s Roski Eye Institute is one of the top medical centers for eye care in California. Their team of skilled corneal surgeons specializes in both full-thickness corneal transplants and partial-thickness transplants (such as DMEK and DSEK).
    Why Choose Keck Medicine of USC?: The USC Roski Eye Institute is known for its world-class care and research-driven approach to treating corneal conditions. The institute’s surgeons are highly experienced and use the latest technology for optimal results.
    Affordability: Keck Medicine accepts a wide variety of insurance plans and offers financial assistance to help patients manage the cost of surgery. It is advisable to contact their financial department for cost estimates based on your insurance coverage.

  5. The Eye Institute of Los Angeles
    Location: 1300 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA
    Specialty: The Eye Institute of Los Angeles provides advanced care for patients requiring corneal transplant surgery. They offer a comprehensive range of corneal surgeries, including full-thickness and partial-thickness transplants.
    Why Choose The Eye Institute?: The institute has a team of experienced corneal surgeons who specialize in the latest surgical techniques. They also offer a patient-centered approach to ensure a smooth recovery process.
    Affordability: The Eye Institute offers affordable options for corneal transplant surgery and works with several insurance providers. For patients who do not have insurance, they provide payment plans to make the surgery more accessible.

Next Steps:
Consultation: It is essential to schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist specializing in corneal diseases at one of the hospitals mentioned above. The doctor will evaluate your condition and discuss the most appropriate type of corneal transplant surgery for you.

Cost Inquiries: Be sure to reach out to the hospital's financial services department to get a detailed cost estimate based on your specific case and insurance coverage. Many hospitals offer free initial consultations for corneal transplant patients.

Insurance: Verify whether your insurance plan covers the cost of corneal transplant surgery. If you don’t have insurance, ask about available financial assistance programs, payment plans, or discounts for self-paying patients.

I hope this information helps you find the right hospital for your corneal transplant surgery. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need additional assistance.

23 days later

For corneal transplant surgery in Los Angeles, you have access to several excellent hospitals and highly skilled surgeons, with options that balance advanced technology, strong outcomes, and affordability.

Top Hospitals and Centers
UCLA Health Corneal Transplant Program
Expertise: Offers the full range of corneal transplant surgeries using advanced and state-of-the-art techniques for faster recovery and lower complication rates.

Surgeons: The program includes highly experienced corneal specialists who are leaders in the field.

Why Choose: UCLA is known for high standards of care, modern equipment, and consistently strong patient outcomes.

Jules Stein Eye Institute
Reputation: Home to some of the most experienced corneal surgeons in the region, including Dr. Anthony Aldave and Dr. Sophie Deng, both recognized for their expertise in corneal transplantation.

Patient Care: Known for thorough evaluations, advanced surgical methods, and excellent follow-up care.

Location: Los Angeles, affiliated with UCLA.

Advanced Vision Care
Surgeons: Dr. Nicole Fram is recognized for her experience in corneal transplant and related procedures.

Approach: Personalized care and modern technology for a wide range of corneal conditions.

Fuerst Eye Center
Locations: Glendale and West Covina.

Surgeons: Board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. David Fuerst and Dr. Nicole Fuerst, both experienced in corneal transplantation.

Why Choose: Focus on patient comfort, clear communication, and routine, safe procedures.

Other Noted Options
LA Sight and Global LASIK & Cataract Institute are highly rated for vision correction and cataract surgery but are less focused on corneal transplants specifically.

Highly Rated Corneal Surgeons in Los Angeles
Dr. Anthony Aldave (Jules Stein Eye Institute): Elite provider, top expertise in corneal transplants.

Dr. Sophie Deng (Jules Stein Eye Institute): Distinguished provider, excellent patient reviews.

Dr. Nicole Fram (Advanced Vision Care): Experienced, known for thorough care.

Dr. Uday Devgan (Devgan Eye Surgery): Highly rated for corneal and cataract procedures.

Dr. Lisa Dang (Beverly Hills): Excellent patient feedback for corneal surgery.

Cost Overview
Median price in Los Angeles: Around $9,253 per eye.

Typical range: $4,900 to $15,200 depending on the hospital, surgeon, and complexity of the case.

Affordable providers: Community hospitals like Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital, Olympia Medical Center, and Saint Vincent Medical Center often offer lower-end pricing within this range.

Financing: Many centers offer payment plans or financing options, and some accept insurance for medically necessary procedures.

Next Steps
Consultation: Schedule an appointment with a corneal specialist at your chosen center to discuss your specific condition, surgical options, and a personalized cost estimate.

Insurance: Bring your insurance details, as coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Questions: Ask about the type of corneal transplant recommended (full vs. partial thickness), expected recovery, and follow-up care.

Summary:
For affordable corneal transplant surgery in Los Angeles, top choices include UCLA Health Corneal Transplant Program, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Advanced Vision Care, and Fuerst Eye Center. Median costs are around $9,253 per eye, with a typical range of $4,900 to $15,200. These centers offer skilled surgeons, advanced technology, and excellent patient care.