Al Nahdha Hospital Performs Oman’s First DMEK Cornea Transplant

Breakthrough at Al Nahdha Hospital: First DMEK Corneal Procedure Successfully Completed

Muscat: A specialized medical team in the Ophthalmology Department at Al Nahdha Hospital successfully achieved a new medical breakthrough by the performance of the first DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) cornea transplant.

This is considered the latest and most precise cornea transplantation technique used globally to treat endothelial cell diseases, including Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and corneal edema following cataract surgery.

Dr. Haitham bin Hilal Al Mahrouqi, Senior Specialist in Cornea Transplants, Cataracts, and Vision Correction at Al Nahdha Hospital, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the operation took about one and a half hours.

He explained that this surgery relies on replacing only the inner layer of the cornea with similar tissue from a donor, without the need for a full cornea transplant. He added that the thickness of the transplanted tissue does not exceed 15 microns, making the procedure closer to a precise cell replacement that offers the patient a better chance for rapid and efficient vision recovery.

He explained that the steps of the operation include local anesthesia of the eye, removal of the damaged endothelial membrane, and then insertion of the donor tissue through a minute incision of no more than three millimeters. The tissue is then fixed inside the eye using an air or gas bubble, requiring the patient to lie flat for a period after the operation to ensure successful adhesion.

He stressed that this type of surgery offers several advantages, most notably rapid and clear improvement in visual acuity, low rates of immunological rejection due to the small amount of transplanted tissue, usually no need for surgical sutures and the cornea retains its natural surface without changes in visual aberrations. He noted that this type of transplant requires high skill due to the thinness of the transplanted tissue. The patient may face the possibility of the transplanted membrane detaching in some cases, which necessitates re-injection of an air bubble.

Moreover, it is not the optimal choice for patients suffering from deep corneal scars or opacities. He pointed out that the success rates for this type of transplant exceed 90-95 percent, and most patients can return to their daily lives within a few weeks. He affirmed that performing this operation at Al Nahdha Hospital represents a qualitative addition to the advanced surgical services in the field of ophthalmology.

Dr. Haitham bin Hilal Al Mahrouqi mentioned that over 180 cornea transplant operations have been performed at Al Nahdha Hospital in cooperation with the National Organ Transplant Program since the cornea transplant program began operation in September 2023. This reflects the development of specialized services at the hospital and its ability to manage various cases and achieve excellent therapeutic outcomes.