Seven cornea transplants performed free-of-cost at Mayo

LAHORE:The College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) successfully performed seven cornea transplants at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital Lahore.

The deserving patients were transplanted free of cost, with the entire cost borne by the Punjab government under the initiative of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz to provide free public health facilities.

The patients ranged from a 14-year-old boy to a 64-year-old man, who were either completely blind or could not see due to deep corneal injuries. The operations were performed by Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, Dr Sidra Latif, Dr Rana M Mohsin, and Dr Junaid Afzal under the leadership of Prof Dr Fawad Zafar from the US.

Prof Asad Aslam Khan, the founder of Cornea Transplant in the Eye Department, said that the COAVS has been a ray of hope for blind people for 30 years. Today's operations are not just about treatment, but also about giving people a new life. “COAVS is expanding its ties with international organisations that donate corneas so that more patients can be treated. At the same time, work is being done to train surgeons and acquire new equipment”.

Prof Dr M Moin said that it was difficult to restart this expensive treatment, but today it is a big success for the poor patients of Punjab. King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Mahmood Ayaz said that Mayo Hospital Lahore is the hallmark of government eye care.

Retinoblastoma is curable, say experts

The Pakistan Society of Paediatric Oncology (PSPO), in collaboration with Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore, organised a one-day workshop titled ‘Current Standardised & Advanced Treatment in Retinoblastoma’ to enhance multidisciplinary care for improved patient outcomes in children suffering from advanced eye cancer.

The event brought together professionals from leading public and private healthcare institutions, including Aga Khan University Hospital, Indus Hospital, LRBT, Children’s Hospital, AFIRI, CMH, UCHS, Mayo hospital, LGH, PINS and NICH Karachi.

The workshop covered critical topics such as genetic counselling, intraocular staging, treatment response assessment, focal therapies (laser and cryotherapy), intra-vitreal and intra-arterial chemotherapy, and the development of a standardised intra-arterial chemotherapy protocol tailored to Pakistan’s needs.