Two patients in particularly difficult circumstances have just been fully sponsored by Dong Do Hospital for corneal transplantation from donated tissue sources of brain-dead people. Not only helping patients regain light after many years of living in declining vision, the two transplants also spread the humanistic meaning of the tissue and organ donation movement.
One of the two patients who received corneal transplants is Ms. N.T. V. H (34 years old), who was once stabbed in the eye by a tree branch while working. The injury caused the cornea to become severely ulcerated, then punctured and left large scars, making everything in front of her eyes always blurred like mist. Serious vision loss caused many obstacles to work, living and taking care of the family.
The remaining patient is D. H. T (14 years old), suffering from corneal disease on an allergic background. The habit of rubbing eyes due to prolonged itching causes corneal deformity, vision is increasingly impaired, greatly affecting study and life.
The common point of both is difficult economic circumstances. The cost of cornea transplantation exceeded the family's ability, making treatment opportunities almost closed.
When I knew I was fully supported by the hospital, I didn't dare to believe it. Before, I thought I would have to live with blurred eyes for life. Now I just hope to be able to see clearly to take care of my children," Ms. H emotionally shared before entering the operating room.
T's family also expressed their gratitude to the cornea donor and the doctors and nurses who gave her the opportunity to see more clearly, continue to study and integrate with her peers.
The two transplants were performed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Minh Chau and the team of the Ophthalmology Department, Dong Do Hospital.
In which, the case of a child patient undergoing transvaginal corneal transplant with a positive recovery prognosis. Patient H's surgery was more complicated due to old lesions causing the tissues in the eye to stick, and the glass body to become cloudy white. Doctors had to simultaneously perform corneal transplants and artificial glass replacement in the same surgery.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Minh Chau said that corneal transplantation is always a race against time. After being taken from a donor, the cornea can only be preserved for a certain period of time. As soon as receiving notification from the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center about a suitable tissue source, the hospital immediately contacts the patient, completes the tests and prepares for surgery in the shortest time to avoid wasting the priceless gift from the donor.
According to MSc.BS Dinh Thi Phuong Thuy, Executive Director of Dong Do Hospital, the biggest pressure for the team is not only the success of the surgery but also the responsibility to the noble gesture of the donor and family.
Each cornea is given from a compassionate decision in the moment of loss. We always tell ourselves to do our best so that that tissue source truly brings light to the patient. After surgery, doctors closely monitor the developments of each case," Ms. Thuy shared.
Behind each successful transplant is the silent sacrifice of tissue donors, organ donors and their relatives. That humane decision has opened up treatment opportunities for many patients facing the risk of losing their sight.
The two successful transplants not only brought light to two poor patients but also contributed to spreading the message about the value of tissue and organ donation. Each decision to register for donation today can become hope, changing the lives of many patients in the future.
