Home / Health / Kerala Hospital Achieves 5 Corneal Transplants in 1.5 Months
Kerala Hospital Achieves 5 Corneal Transplants in 1.5 Months
11 Mar
Summary
- First district hospital nationwide to complete five corneal transplants.
- Advanced lamellar keratoplasty surgery performed using new technology.
- Cost-effective eye surgery now available at a government facility.
The general hospital in Thiruvananthapuram has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first district-level hospital in the nation to successfully conduct five corneal transplant surgeries within a span of one and a half months. Among these procedures was a sophisticated lamellar keratoplasty (DSEK), which replaces only damaged corneal layers without full removal, demonstrating advanced surgical capabilities. This accomplishment signifies a major step forward for Kerala's blindness prevention initiatives.
Equipped with the necessary infrastructure for these intricate surgeries, the general hospital has made previously costly procedures, often confined to private facilities, accessible through the public health system. This elevates the standard of eye surgeries offered in Kerala and is a considerable achievement for the state's health department. A dedicated team of corneal surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing officers, a transplant coordinator, and a nursing assistant were instrumental in these successful operations.
