Automatic corneal transplantation for eye patients

In the past 2 weeks, Ho Chi Minh City Eye Eye Hospital has changed the transparent opaque tissue in front of the eye (eyeball) for 4 Vietnamese patients. This is the first time in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital has performed the method of corneal grafting with the support of a USD 30,000 artificial front office device and automatic scalpel of surgical system Lasik.

Corneal graft is used to treat patients with shallow opaque layer on the surface of the cornea (the frontal transparent tissue area of ​​the eyeball).

Corneal transplant surgery at HCMC Eye Hospital (Photo: Dr. Hai Yen)

The automatic flap knife of Lasik surgery system can create a thin corneal flap of about 130 -180 microns in thickness. There is an artificial room device to create puffy pressure to cut thin layers. Thanks to the support of these devices, the accuracy of automatic corneal transplants is enhanced, the ability to restore vision is also higher.

Automatic corneal graft method does not invade the internal organs of the eye so the risk of rejection of graft is low.

These 4 patients received the cornea source as a gift from Georgia Eye Bank, Atlanta, USA. In the near future, Georgia Eye Bank plans to donate twice a month, each with 2 corneas for Vietnamese patients.

Corneal transport fees through the Fedex system were funded by Dr. Richard Lanning of Phyladelphia, USA. Dr. Richard Lanning was the one who supported the development of ophthalmic surgery at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital for many years. Doctors are continuing to work to get corneas from other tissue banks.

According to Dr. Tran Hai Yen, Head of Refractive Department of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, the most difficult problem is that Vietnam does not have an Eye bank.

The import of corneal tissue from foreign banks is also difficult because the procedure to transfer money abroad to pay for tissue preservation fees is still complicated. Estimated, at HCMC Eye Hospital, thousands of patients are waiting for corneal transplantation.

Along with the Central Eye Institute, HCM City Eye Hospital also promotes the initial preparation for the establishment of the Eye bank for the future to have corneas treated for Vietnamese patients.

H.Cat