AIIMS Rajkot performs first corneal transplant, saves eye of 65-year-old woman
Rajkot, Aug 10
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot has performed its first corneal transplant surgery, providing emergency treatment to a 65-year-old woman from Kodinar in Gir Somnath district whose severe corneal infection had failed to respond to medical treatment.
The successful keratoplasty marks the commencement of specialised corneal transplantation services at the institute.
The patient had been suffering from infective keratitis for two months and, despite intensive medical treatment, the infection continued to worsen and caused significant damage to her cornea.
Given the severity of the infection, doctors decided to perform an emergency therapeutic corneal transplant.
The procedure aimed to eliminate the infection, preserve the structural integrity of the eye, and maximise the chances of saving the patient's vision in the future.
The complex surgery was performed by cornea specialists Dr Mamta Singh and Dr Kedar Nemiwant from the Department of Ophthalmology, with support from Dr Savita, Dr Vishruti Trivedi, Dr Manish, Dr Amit and Dr Shivam.
Rajkot Civil Hospital provided the donor cornea required for the transplant. The Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS Rajkot expressed gratitude to Dr Kamal Dodiya and his team at the civil hospital for promptly arranging the donor cornea, which allowed the emergency procedure to be carried out.
With the beginning of corneal transplantation services, AIIMS Rajkot will now provide specialised treatment for patients suffering from severe corneal diseases.
The ophthalmology department said, "It would also focus on promoting awareness about eye donation alongside expanding advanced eye-care services".
The launch is expected to provide patients from Saurashtra and neighbouring regions access to corneal transplantation services closer to home, reducing the need to travel farther for specialised treatment.
AIIMS Rajkot is headed by Executive Director Dr L. N. Dorairajan, with Colonel Ankur Pratap Singh serving as Deputy Director.
"The introduction of corneal transplantation was part of its continuing expansion of advanced healthcare facilities and ophthalmic services," officials added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is wonderful progress for healthcare in the region. However, I wish there was more awareness about eye donation among the general public. We have a huge shortage of donor corneas in India. If even 10% of people pledged their eyes, we could save lakhs of patients from blindness. Hats off to the doctors at AIIMS Rajkot for their excellent work. 🌟
Finally, we have such specialized services in Rajkot! Earlier my grandmother had to go all the way to Ahmedabad for her cataract surgery. This will save time, money, and effort for so many elderly patients from smaller towns like Kodinar. Kudos to Dr Mamta Singh and Dr Kedar Nemiwant for their surgical skill. AIIMS Rajkot is definitely raising the standard of healthcare in Saurashtra.
So proud of our medical institutions! The fact that they performed an emergency therapeutic transplant to save the woman's eye is truly commendable. It's not just about the surgery but also about the quick coordination between AIIMS and the Civil Hospital for the donor cornea. This kind of teamwork sets a good example. I just hope they also focus on post-operative care and follow-up for the patient. And that awareness about eye donation reaches every household. 👏
Wonderful to see this level of medical progress in Rajkot! I've lived in the US and understand the value of corneal transplants. The coordination between AIIMS and Civil Hospital is particularly noteworthy - sharing resources like donor corneas is how we maximize the impact of every gift. This brings world-class eye care to the doorstep of people in Saurashtra. My sincere appreciation to the entire team!
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