Dr. Haitham Al-Mahrouqi: Reducing corneal transplant waiting lists at Al-Nahdha Hospital by 70%
Dr. Qasim Al-Jahdhami: Studying the establishment of a cornea preparation and preservation bank in Oman

The Ministry of Health, represented by the National Organ Transplant Program and Al-Nahdha Hospital, has successfully performed 55 corneal transplant surgeries within nine months, following the reactivation of the corneal transplant program in August 2023.

Al-Nahdha Hospital expects to complete 100 corneal transplant surgeries by the end of this year. These operations have reduced waiting lists by 70%. The National Organ Transplant Program aims to expand corneal transplant services in Oman by introducing this service at Ibra and Nizwa Hospitals. Additionally, it is studying the establishment of a cornea preparation and preservation bank in Oman to ensure a consistent supply and reduce reliance on foreign banks.

Dr. Haitham bin Hilal Al-Mahrouqi, Senior Specialist in Cornea, Cataracts, and Vision Correction at Al-Nahdha Hospital, stated that the cornea is the transparent front part of the eye and acts as the eye's window to light. He explained that there are various causes of corneal opacity, including keratoconus in young people, corneal infections caused by contact lenses or other factors, as well as opacities resulting from trachoma.

He further pointed out that selecting the appropriate type of corneal transplant for a patient depends on whether the procedure involves a full or partial transplant. The global trend today favors full-thickness corneal transplantation if the entire cornea is affected by opacity. However, if the opacity is confined to a specific part, partial transplantation is performed to replace only the affected section.

Dr. Al-Mahrouqi noted that corneas are currently obtained from organ donors after death, with most corneas being sourced from abroad. He expressed hope that, with the efforts of the National Organ Transplant Program, organ donation after death will become a norm within Oman. Patients are monitored for a year or slightly longer following the corneal transplant surgery.