Free 95 corneal transplants conducted

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Free of cost corneal transplant surgeries for 95 patients have been carried out in the ophthalmology department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar by renowned ophthalmologist Dr Zaman Shah.  In the corneal Transplant or keratoplasty procedure the damaged cornea of the eye is replaced with a healthy Donor graft.

The Ophthalmology Department of KTH is becoming a leading department in KP in treating the corneal transplant patients according to the new standard guidelines. The objective of corneal transplant is to give new vision to be the patients.

KTH ophthalmology department is conducting corneal transplant on routine basis since May 2017.  The cornea is received from APPNA Organization from USA and Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association President Mr Iftikhar Aziz.

According to consultant Dr Zaman Shah these patients presented to OPD having No Vision in their eyes but after surgery they can see the world. The cost of a single Corneal graft is Rupees 1,20,000 but  the donor grafts and treatment free of cost to these poor patients.

It’s worth mentioning that Dr Zaman Shah also carried out a new transplant procedure DALK (Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty), DALK and pd _DALK are for keratoconus and DMEK procedure for decompensated cornea, in this surgical technique the chances of graft rejection are minimal and cornea works for lifetime.

Among 95 patients there were 60% women and 40% men who belong to Afghanistan, Swat, Bajaur, Dir, Waziristan, Swabi and Lahore.Most of the patients were from Afghanistan and Swat. Corneal transplantation was done in all these patients completely free of cost.