The first corneal transplant in Doncaster has been performed at Montagu Hospital.
Robert Mansfield travelled from Lincolnshire to undergo the operation which took 90 minutes and has recovered with restored eyesight.
A corneal graft is a transplant operation during which the central part of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) is removed and replaced with a cornea from a donor. Mansfield underwent a partial transplant which means only a thin inner layer of his cornea was replaced. Although this operation is much more technical than a traditional corneal transplant, it doesn’t require the use of stitches which meant that his recovery was quicker, with less chance of infection or permanently weakening his eye.
The new cornea was held in place using an air bubble until it attached itself to the deep layer of the cornea just a few days later. Within eight days Mansfield was able to read and drive with no need for further surgeries to correct the distorted surface of the cornea.
Before the operation Mansfield had a condition which caused blisters to form on his cornea, affecting his vision. Since recovery, the Lincolnshire man’s eyesight has improved dramatically. He said: “Most of the time I forget I’ve had the operation. I’ve had no pain at all and the recovery has been seamless with my eyesight back up to driving level which is a huge relief for me as I need to drive to carry out my role as a Church of England Vicar and mental health worker.”
Mr Mohammad Khan, consultant ophthalmic surgeon for the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to offer this treatment to our patients in South Yorkshire. Local residents can now have this operation closer to home and are benefiting from the latest treatment and technology to help restore their sight. This has only been possible with the support and dedication of our staff, clinical and non-clinical.”
Pictured: Linda Saunders, theatre sister and Robert Mansfield.
