A second chance…
#keniaeye#drvaishalkenia#eyetransplant#cornea transplant
A blind can truly understand the value of vision. Advances, research, technology is striving to deal with eye problems to have good vision outcomes.
A lady got a cataract surgery done elsewhere but the visual recovery was not good. Seeking a second opinion, a corneal problem was discovered, the cataract surgery had gone well but the weak cornea could not withstand the surgical trauma. The other eye cornea was having the same problem and if went undetected the cataract surgery would result in the same suboptimal visual outcome.
Explaining the patient about a weak cornea in both eyes. Fuchs endothelial dystrophy is a disease of the inner lining of the cornea which weakens over middle age and in early stages can go undetected. Early detection is done with meticulous examination also with special eye test know as specular microscopy which helps to detect the abnormal inner lining (endothelium) of the cornea.
After understanding the problem the lady was scared. She was very much concerned as the same fate can happen in the second eye and see can potentially go blind.
Assured her that with advances in surgical technique no longer the whole cornea needs to be transplanted but just the diseased inner lining (endothelium) can be replaced. DSEK|DMEK are endothelial keratoplasty options which have the advantage of less chances of rejection and failure. Also this newer technology the need of stitches is virtually reduced to just one stitch. And the visual recovery is fast, the vision potential improves and stabilises in a months time. The aftercare after surgery is also not tedious and requires less follow ups.
After understanding the newer technology, the left operated eye was first planned for DMEK surgery. The lady was delighted with the outcome and vision was restored back in the left eye. It was a second chance and the lady was very happy. The treatment was still not over, the right eye a combined surgery was planned – cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with foldable implant and DMEK was planned. The complexity of the surgery created a bit of panic in the lady but having trusted me for the first eye surgery, she consented for the second eye complex surgery. The surgery went well and the lady was relieved and had tears in her eyes. She said she got a second chance and thank god for everything. She was pleased to have found the hospital with access to the latest technology which enabled her to have vision bestowed in both eyes.
Newer insights, newer technology can impart better healthcare. In times to come newer research into medicine, genetics and techniques will certainly deliver pathbreaking treatments to conquer the unconquered diseases.
