Odisha's KIMS Performs First Corneal Transplant, Restores Vision Of 37-Year-Old
The surgery was performed by a team of ophthalmologists led by Dr Akshit Gupta.
Bhubaneswar: In a major milestone for eye care in Odisha, the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) here has successfully performed its first corneal transplant, helping restore vision to a 37-year-old man who had suffered severe corneal damage due to an infection.
The surgery was performed by a team of ophthalmologists led by Dr Akshit Gupta. The procedure took around 90 minutes and was carried out under local anaesthesia.
Dr Gupta said the patient had nearly lost vision in his right eye following an infection about three years ago. KIMS received government approval to perform corneal transplants last week, making the successful procedure a significant step forward for the hospital’s eye care services.
Dr Subhangi Sahu said the patient had shown considerable improvement in vision after the operation. However, it would take another two to three weeks for his visual clarity to improve, with further recovery expected over the next few months.
The patient expressed gratitude to the cornea donor, acknowledging the contribution that had given him hope of regaining his sight.
The surgical team included Dr Gupta, Dr Matuli Das and Dr Sahu, along with Lochana Tripathy and Shyamali Routray.
KIIT University and KIMS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta congratulated the team of doctors on the successful surgery and wished the patient a speedy recovery and a healthy life.
According to doctors, around 10 lakh people in India require corneal transplants, but the availability of donated corneas remains inadequate to meet the demand. Corneal transplantation can restore sight in patients whose corneas have been damaged by disease or injury, making eye donation crucial to helping people regain their vision.
