November 1, 2022 – figures from the World Health Organization state this.About 2.2 billion people around the world have vision problems, most of them due to eye disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or cataracts. According to the results of the first Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) in Thailand, blindness is 92% preventable and 76.8% curable. The cause of blindness is caused by three main factors: cataracts, glaucoma and corneal disease, which are common vision problems in people aged 50 and over. More and more people with eye problems are becoming less common in the middle age group.
Ms Atirat Jarukitpipat Managing Director of Bumrungrad Hospital It was revealed that the “Ophthalmic Center” is one of the medical centers of excellence in Bumrungrad, well equipped in every respect. Both in medical care by a team of ophthalmologists specialized in all areas of the eye and by a multidisciplinary team. combined with the use of advanced innovations for diagnosis and treatment This offers the Ophthalmology Center the potential to treat all types of eye health problems, even in difficult and complex diseases. which includes opening “Cornea transplant center” or “Cornea transplant center” Bumrungrad is the first private hospital to have a cornea transplant center that provides comprehensive services for all cornea-related treatments. This is once again the pride of Bumrungrad “.
Dr. Methinee Sirimaharaj, Head of the Eye Center Bumrungrad Hospital stated that the eye is an important organ and is made up of many different types of tissues, so an ophthalmologist who specializes in each field needs to take care of it. The eye center consists of a team of specialists in various fields. Covering all eye related problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, reconstructive and reconstructive ophthalmic surgery, iritis, corneal diseases, pediatric ophthalmic diseases and strabismus, optic nerve surgery with ReLEx SMILE, etc. has undergone surgery and needed to be assessed physically and mentally Ophthalmologists work with specialists in other related fields, such as internists, anesthetists, psychiatrists, along with a multidisciplinary team. To offer the highest quality and safe treatment from the eye center has adapted the location to accommodate the growing number of service users There are 13 eye examination rooms with modern equipment for diagnosis and treatment. To be able to support even the most complex eye disease patients.
‘Cornea Transplant Center, Bumrungrad International Hospital Provides comprehensive services for all corneal related treatments such as corneal infection, corneal swelling, corneal deflection, corneal degeneration caused by genetic factors. corneal scarring including corneal transplants This patient group should be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. because it can affect vision or it can be severe to the point of permanent vision loss, “said Dr. Methinee.
Dr. Teerawee Hongyok, a specialist in cornea and eye surgery at the hospital, information that the cornea is the most anterior part of the black eye. It has a transparent curve with a total of 5 layers that serve to let the light through. and refracting light to fall together on the inner retina for better visibility If the patient begins to have symptoms of blurred vision or fog, the eyes do not fight the light, the vision changes often, unusual astigmatism, sees a cloud of light or see circles of light when looking at lights, feeling irritated while wearing contact lenses or an accident The cornea is ulcerated or cloudy. It could indicate that the cornea may be starting to have a problem. Therefore, you should consult a doctor for evaluation and diagnosis. The ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine the eyes. A corneal pathology assessment tool, such as a corneal topographer, can also be used to help observe the shape of the cornea to obtain accurate and complete information.
Causes that make the cornea cloudy, white, swollen or deform the cornea. Common in foreign countries, including degenerative diseases of inner cornea cells from genetics The cells within the cornea keep the cornea free by regulating the water in the cornea. When it deteriorates, the cornea swells, thickens, becomes blemish and corneal deformity. which can be associated with uncontrolled allergies by rubbing the eyes for a long time until the cornea becomes weak, thin and deformed In Thailand, corneas are more often cloudy due to corneal infections. which can be caused by work wearing contact lenses that are not well cared for or riding a motorcycle without a helmet This will help protect your head and eyes. Another common cause is corneal degeneration after complex eye surgery. or cornea abnormally opaque from birth It can also be found quite a lot. All of them have the effect of causing white spots on the cornea. Cornea swollen or deformed curvature This can cause severe vision loss, which many diseases can be corrected with “cornea transplant” to restore clear cornea. and see again
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngamjit Kasetsuwan, President of the Cornea and Vision Correction Club of Thailand and a doctor specializing in glassm Bumrungrad Hospital Discuss the cornea transplant method. It will be surgery to remove the patient’s cornea that is cloudy or diseased. and then implanted with the donor’s cornea. Advantages of cornea transplant treatment is to help improve the patient’s vision problems. Helps strengthen the cornea in case the patient has a thin or perforated cornea. and help control corneal infections in cases where patients have corneal infections The treatment uses a new surgical camera that combines techniques that help examine different layers. cornea during surgery Intraoperative optical coherence tomography integrated into the microscope allows for more accurate corneal surgery. Cornea transplant surgery can be divided into 2 methods:
1. All layers of cornea transplant (Penetrating keratoplasty) if the patient has all layers of the cornea. (which has 5 corneal substrates or 3 main layers, i.e. the surface layer or top layer, middle layer and layer or conjunctiva) or does not work well This surgery In surgery, all pathological layers of the cornea are removed and the cornea of the same thickness and all layers is replaced.
2. Corneal transplant in layers (Lamellar keratoplasty) in cases where the patient has partially damaged cornea. Only a few layers will be implanted, including corneal transplantation on the top layer only (anterior lamellar keratoplasty), which has advantages. It is not necessary to remove the septum or the innermost cornea. Thus reducing the risk of the patient’s body rejecting the cornea resulting from the transplant. as well as reducing other complications. Another type of corneal transplant surgery is Endothelial keratoplasty is the removal of the pathological internal corneal septum. and replaced with corneal septum from donated eyes that are transplanted This layer of cornea is very thin, about 10-15 microns, so it is a very delicate surgery. Additionally, this type of surgery has a small incision size of only 3-5mm, which reduces many complications.It is important to point out that vision recovery is very fast for weeks. Much faster than all cornea transplants.
In case the patient has more complex corneal disease symptoms. corneal transplant center Bumrungrad Hospital There is a team of specialists in various fields ready to provide care and treatment for complex diseases. and has a variety of treatment techniques.Sometimes the doctor may use other treatment methods as well, such as phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), which is a treatment of corneal disease with an excimer laser, ultraviolet A (cross-linking corneal collagen) to strengthen the fibers of the neck. cornea and ring implant surgery (Intrastromal corneal ring segment) to adjust the curvature of the cornea. for the most efficient viewing
For the current situation of eye procurement and services of Thai Red Cross Eye Center It is reported that patients in need of cornea transplants will have to wait approximately 3-5 years for donations, which represent only 2% of the Thai population for the donation of eyes after death. As every year, more than 1,000 people request eye donation and the trend is increasing every year. On average, only 600-700 people receive corneal transplants each year and there are currently more than 17,000 people waiting for their eyes. It can cause the patient’s symptoms from a small start to become more.As a result, the treatment is more difficult and more risky, for example, in cases of diabetic retinopathy, the laser cannot be treated. worsen the disease and followed by other complications
“Cornea Transplant Center Bumrungrad Hospital Therefore, it is another potential option and there is a way to procure donated eyes for a cheaper and faster cornea replacement surgery. This is to ease the government burden of caring for corneal disease patients who need a cornea transplant to have greater access to quality treatment in a timely manner. so that patients can go back to having good eyesight and quality of life again. ” Assoc. Prof. Ngamjit to say
With the potential and readiness of Bumrungrad hospital medical team with over 30 years of experience and expertise in organ transplant, kidney transplant, liver transplant and heart transplant, the current success rate of transplant surgery cornea is 70-95% depending on the patient’s symptoms and diseases This is the most successful organ transplant surgery compared to other organ transplants. One of the factors that influenced the success of the surgery was the adaptation of the junction of the wound between the patient’s corneal tissue. and corneal tissue to be transplanted Therefore, the corneal cutting technique Trepanation of both the transplanted cornea and the patient’s corneal tissue is therefore very important. Cornea transplantation therefore requires a doctor with advanced experience and expertise in surgery. should undergo eye health screening services annually
