First ‘two for one’ corneal transplant carried out at NNUH
Two women from Norfolk have had their lives transformed by sight-restoring surgery after becoming the first patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to benefit from a single donated cornea, in a pioneering ‘two for one’ corneal transplant procedure.
The operations were carried out in late October by Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Chrishan Gunasekera, who led the innovative procedures. By carefully dividing one donated cornea, two patients were able to benefit from life-changing surgery. Both patients are now recovering well, with their vision gradually improving.
Mr Gunasekera explained: “Dividing a single donated organ between multiple recipients has been done for many years in areas such as liver transplantation, but routine division of the cornea is still uncommon in the UK, with only a handful of surgeons offering this approach.”
Fifty-eight-year-old Janet Robertson, pictured, underwent surgery on her left eye after losing her sight following a severe herpes simplex eye infection in 2020. Despite antiviral treatment, her vision continued to deteriorate, leaving her with no sight in her left eye and limited peripheral vision in her right.
Janet received a Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK), a type of corneal transplant that replaces the diseased outer layers of the cornea while preserving the healthy inner layer. For the first time at NNUH, the remaining healthy portion of the donated cornea was then used later the same day to treat a second patient.
Janet said: “Losing my sight changed my life. I lost my balance, I couldn’t dance and I even broke my ankle falling down the stairs because I couldn’t see. When Mr Gunasekera said he could operate, I jumped at the chance. I trusted him implicitly.
“He’s the nicest doctor I’ve ever met and I’ve had phenomenal care from him and everyone in the Eye Clinic. When the dressing came off the day after my operation, for the first time in years I could see the shape of a tree. It was quite emotional.”
The second patient, Joan, aged 87 from Norwich, received the inner layer of the same donated cornea. She had lost sight in her right eye after many years of glaucoma and complications following previous cataract surgery. Joan underwent a Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), a procedure that replaces only the damaged inner layer of the cornea.
Joan said: “Mr Gunasekera told me he could help me with a cornea transplant and called to say he could see me that afternoon. I rearranged my food delivery and went straight in. The operation went well and I’m recovering amazingly. Using both my eyes together now, I can read number plates again and I’m getting new glasses at the end of the month. It’s truly amazing what can be achieved and the fact that one cornea can be split to help two people fascinates me. We are so lucky to have Mr Gunasekera here in Norfolk.”
Mr Gunasekera added: “With a national shortage of donor corneas, it is vital that we use every donated gift as effectively and safely as possible. By treating more than one patient from a single cornea, we can help more people regain their sight. I’m delighted with the outcomes for Janet and Joan.”
Dr Bernard Brett, NNUH Medical Director, said: “This is a really positive innovation taken forward by the Ophthalmology team which has the potential to benefit many of our patients. I am delighted to know that we can now offer this here at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.”