LV Prasad Eye Institute achieves 50,000 corneal transplants milestone

Dr Gullapalli Nageswara Rao, Founder of LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), has emphasised the severe shortage of corneal transplants in India, urging for significant improvements in the country’s corneal healthcare system. The announcement was made as LVPEI’s Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute achieved a major milestone, becoming the first institution globally to complete 50,000 corneal transplants as of August 2024. The achievement was accomplished over 38 years, underscoring the institute’s leadership in corneal care.

Dr Rao stated, “India is facing a severe shortage of corneas for transplantation with demand far exceeding our capacity to meet it. With this gap widening each year, we must take immediate and comprehensive action to prevent millions from losing their sight.” He highlighted the need to expand corneal donation programmes and create a self-reliant healthcare system capable of addressing the growing demand.

India currently requires around 100,000 corneal transplants annually to treat corneal blindness, which affects approximately one million people nationwide. However, the healthcare system is only able to perform about 30,000 transplants each year, leaving a significant shortfall.

By 2030, efforts must aim to double the number of corneal transplants from 30,000 to 60,000 per year. Dr. Rao called for the expansion of eye banks across the country, with 50 standard eye banks needed, each requiring an investment of Rs 1 crore. He also proposed the institution of hospital cornea retrieval programmes in 500 major hospitals, supported by grief counsellors, to increase the supply of corneas for transplantation.

Training more corneal specialists is critical, with a goal of preparing 500 ophthalmic surgeons capable of performing transplants. Additionally, Dr Rao highlighted the importance of recruiting and training specialists to increase surgical capacity and developing advanced facilities that meet international standards.

Awareness campaigns about corneal donation must be prioritised, with grief counsellors playing a key role in encouraging families to donate corneas after death. The private and public sectors must ensure adequate funding to improve the salaries of these counsellors and expand their presence in hospitals nationwide.

Dr Rao noted that states with fewer corneal specialists have longer waiting lists and greater backlogs, and training more specialists could help ensure equitable access to care across the country. He emphasised that collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and medical community, is essential to address this public health challenge and implement necessary reforms.

The milestone achievement by LVPEI’s Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute represents a significant contribution to corneal healthcare, but further efforts are required to eliminate corneal blindness in India.