Key Summary
- Thousands in the UK await cornea transplants to restore sight
- Success stories highlight the life-changing impact of cornea donation
- Experts urge greater public awareness to boost donations
Cornea transplant, also known as the cornea graft, is an effective way to improve sight, relieve pain and cure serious damage or infection in the eyes.
While anybody can donate corneas, even if you wear glasses or have had cataract surgery, the awareness continues to be low.
More than 4,000 people in England are suffering from sight loss, and nearly 6,000 people in the UK are awaiting a transplant for over a year.
There have been several success stories of people benefiting from cornea transplant.
The story of the professional model maker, Julian Pinhey is a famous example.
He has returned to his productive life with the cornea surgery that utilised corneal tissues donated by two individuals.
The rising cases of people benefiting from cornea transplant has led to a gradual rise in public awareness regarding corneal donation.
The family of Louise Cosgrove, a 27-year-old nurse who lost her life in a tragic accident, chose to make her a cornea donor.
Sundas Maqsood, NHS consultant ophthalmologist at Maidstone Hospital has stressed on the importance of raising awareness about cornea donations.
He claimed he has seen first hand how it can be a life-changing for many.
