Free Cornea Transplantation has been continued for the visually impaired people at the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences, Mayo Hospital, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
A cornea transplant is an operation to replace part of the cornea with corneal tissue from a donor. This operation is sometimes called keratoplasty.
The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea. It plays a large role in the eye's ability to see clearly.
Free cornea operations of 6 patients were conducted during the last days under the supervision of Prof. Mohammad Moeen and Prof. Asad Aslam at the hospital.
Sri Lanka sent the first batch of corneas to Prof. Asad Aslam Khan, Mayo Hospital on April 14, 2017.
After successful transplantation during the tenure of Prof. Asad Aslam Khan, this process continues even today at the hospital. So far, 5558 corneas have been sent to Pakistan during the last 6 years.
Now, the transplantation is being done under the leadership of Prof Muhammad Moin.
Six more cornea transplants were performed at Mayo Hospital under this project.
After the transplant, our eyesight has returned, a female patient said.
According to experts, a cornea transplant may
restore vision, reduce pain and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.
Most cornea transplant operations are successful. But cornea transplant carries a small risk of complications, such as rejection of the donor cornea, they added.
It is estimated that about 2 million people are blind in Pakistan. Out of which around 2 lac individuals suffer from diseases of the cornea. The vision of such patients can be easily recovered through corneal transplant. After the transplant, patients can get their vision back again.
Reporter: Azmat Awan