A system for forming corneal implants includes a first cutting apparatus configured to cut a donor cornea and form a portion of corneal tissue. The donor cornea includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface. The first cutting apparatus is configured to cut the donor cornea along an axis extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The system also includes a second cutting apparatus configured to form a plurality of lenticules from the portion of corneal tissue by making, to the portion of corneal tissue, a series of cuts transverse to the axis. Corneal tissue between consecutive cuts by the second cutting apparatus provides a corresponding lenticule to be shaped for a corneal implant. A distance between the consecutive cuts defines a thickness for the corresponding lenticule.