- College of Ophthalmology aims to conduct 5-10 corneal transplantations per month free of cost by the end of 2025
LAHORE: What is being “described as a millstone” that added a new chapter to the Punjab government’s healthcare sector, the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) successfully conducted five cornea transplant surgeries, said a COAVS press release on Saturday.
These surgeries, performed at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital Lahore, notably included the first “Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty” (DALK) on a young patient with keratoconus, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s 60-year history, the statement pointed out.
“The achievement was made possible by the leadership of Prof Dr Muhammad Moin, in accordance with the vision of ‘Free Public Health Services’ of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, and the support of Dr Fawad Zafar and Mir & Zafar Foundation, who provided donated corneas free of charge,” the statement informed.
“Under the supervision of Prof Dr Moin, Dr Sidra Latif performed Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) for the first time in the history of the institution. This advanced technique is used specifically for patients with keratoconus (a defect in the structure of the cornea), in which only the outer layers of the cornea (Epithelium and Stroma) are replaced.”
“This complex operation involved separating the layers of the cornea using a Moria trephine”, it added.
The statement stated, “The patients involved in the surgeries ranged from a 14-year-old to a 66-year-old.”
“Dr Fawad Zafar and Mir & Zafar Foundation made these operations possible by providing donated corneas free of charge, especially for keratoconus patients like Ali Hassan (24 years), as DALK is the safest option for restoring vision,” the statement said.
Lauding the achievement, Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz, VC King Edward Medical University, said that the Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital, has established a tradition of treating eyes in the public sector since 1960. “Today’s DALK surgery proves that government hospitals in Punjab have access to the latest technology. We are all proud of Dr Sidra and the team at COAVS for achieving this historic feat.”
Prof Dr Muhammad Moin, Principal of the College of Ophthalmology, said, “This campaign would not have been possible without the support of Dr. Fawad Zafar and the Mirza and Zafar Foundation. Operations like DALK require not only expertise but also the availability of modern equipment. We have proven that even government institutions can provide the latest treatment methods free of cost.”
Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, Professor Emeritus College of Ophthalmology and Cornea Transplantation Surgeon, said that DALK is a revolutionary treatment for young patients with keratoconus. Dr Sidra’s expertise has taken the institution to new heights.”
The COAVS aims to conduct 5-10 corneal transplantations per month free of cost by the end of 2025. In this regard, priority is being given to training young surgeons and obtaining donated corneas from international institutions.
