According to LVPEI, it has created a record for the highest ever corneal transplant surgeries from a single centre, anywhere in the world
The Hyderabad campus of LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has conducted 2043 corneal transplantations in a single year (April 2016 – March 2017). According to LVPEI, this is a record for the highest ever corneal transplant surgeries from a single centre, anywhere in the world.
The Ramayamma International Eye Bank at the campus harvested a whopping 7166 corneas this financial year, and distributed 3810 corneas to corneal surgeons across the country. LVPEI has also been very active with stem cell based treatment of corneal diseases, besides research in biosynthetic cornea as well as liquid cornea. The institute’s cornea specialists treat corneal infections using sophisticated laboratory techniques and medicines to prevent corneal scarring, and thus the need for future corneal transplantation.
Dr Gullapalli N Rao, Founder and Chair, LVPEI said, “Organ donation is a major challenge in India, and to achieve this world record, while we are still creating awareness about eye donation, is even more commendable. This achievement should help raise the confidence that organ donation and transplantation in India can potentially touch record volumes, given a dedicated team approach and strategy.”
The cornea team at LVPEI has contributed to the evolution of modern eye banking and specialised cornea care in India. “This is an ongoing process in our efforts to create more milestones in the coming years towards our mission of alleviating avoidable blindness in India and the world,” Dr Rao further added.