Organ donation day was observed along with awareness programme to donate organ was been organised
Picture for representational purpose
Hyderabad: Donation of organs for the survival of other patients is important, but the utility of the organ depends on how the organ recipient takes care of the implanted organ and protects it from infections. On Organ Donation Day, observed on August 13, along with the awareness to donate organs, it is also very important to counsel patients to understand that the implanted organ has to be taken care of as it is more susceptible than other organs of the body.
Cornea transplants (eye transplants) are very successful and are good for eight to 10 years, again depending on the care taken by the person. Eye surgeon Dr Narahari Yamjala explained, “The cornea goes through stringent testing and those that are good are implanted. The cornea does not have any blood vessels. But in the case of a transplant, the blood vessels penetrate into the cornea and hence the recipient has to be very careful. There should be no injuries or even the slightest abrasions to the eyes.”
Mr Srinivas (name changed), a cornea recipient, said, “I was suffering from severe conjunctivitis and lost my vision. The cornea was implanted when I was young and I regained my vision. The first one lasted about 10 years and then I opted for a second implant. It is helping me see very well. There are many precautions that one has to take, like staying away from dusty environments, protecting the eye from the minutest injury etc. Even infections in other parts of the body can have a debilitating effect on the cornea.”
L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital claims that cornea transplants have a 98 per cent success rate.
G. Srinivas of L.V. Prasad Eye Bank said, “We are very careful with the corneas that are transplanted in patients. Extreme care is taken as there are three levels of testing.”
In heart transplant cases, the accepted rate of survival is between one to five years. Dr A.G.K. Gokhale, who has performed heart transplant surgeries, said that 80 per cent of the patients have more than five years’ survival rate. But patients have to adhere to a very stringent and strict lifestyle. “After a heart transplant, one can’t eng-age in very heavy physical activities or go to places that are extremely dusty,” he said.
Ramachandra Rao, 72, who is now enjoying life with his grandchildren in the US, was one of the oldest patients to undergo a heart transplant at 69. Mr Rao is happy that he got the transplant done. He is regular with follow-up checks and ensures that he follows the doctor’s instructions. In the undivided state, Dr Gokhale had carried out eight transplants and Apollo hospitals one.
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