The Department of Ophthalmology of the Lahore General Hospital (LGH), in a first for Pakistan, has begun treating blindness with cornea transplantations.
The first operation was carried out successfully, restoring the vision of 12-year old Alishba.
The parents and relatives of Alishba expressed their gratitude and thanked Prof Dr Abdul Hayye and Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Principal Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab who bore the expense of the operation.
This type of operation, called DSEK in medical language, was conducted for the first time in Pakistan successfully by Prof Abdul Hayye, who is in-charge of the LGH Eye Department Unit II.
Alishba, daughter of Habib Ahmed, a resident of Kot Abdul Malik, is the first beneficiary patient of this technique. Doctors of the department themselves contributed the amount needed for buying a cornea from Sri Lanka, preparation of the cornea from with a FEMTO laser, and the operation.
Prof Abdul Hayye said that it was a modern way of treatment which would help removal of cornea related complications giving back the blessing of visibility to Pakistani patients. He said that it was a matter of pride that LGH had taken the initiative to start these operations in Pakistan.
PGMI Principal Prof Ghiyas un Nabi Tayyab congratulated Prof Abdul Hayye and his staff and said that his success would add to the good name of the hospital.