Yangon Eye Hospital says the Yangon National Eye Bank offers emergency treatment for patients requiring corneal transplants.
“If the cornea is damaged and appears white, transplant treatment is scheduled for these patients, and emergency transplant treatment is provided depending on the patient’s requirements,” stated a doctor on duty at Yangon Eye Hospital.
Corneal donations are made both before and after death, as per the wishes of the deceased’s family. Officials from the National Eye Bank educate living individuals who wish to donate their corneas on preventing corneal dryness after death. The eye bank receives corneal donations daily.
“Within four hours of the cornea donor’s death, the donor’s family must notify the eye bank. Individuals with cataracts, glasses wearers, diabetes patients, those with high blood pressure, and individuals up to 75 years old can donate corneas. During cornea donation, only the top layer of the eye is removed, not the entire eye,” explained an official from Yangon Eye Hospital.
During corneal surgery, a donated cornea is transplanted into a recipient with a damaged cornea. This procedure is suitable for individuals of any age, and approximately 90 per cent of transplant treatments are successful.
The National Eye Bank (Yangon), established in 1993, is located in Yangon and Mandalay and is responsible for collecting, examining, and distributing corneas to needy hospitals. — TWA/ TKO
