Patient undergoes 'pioneering' cornea transplant

A Brighton man has become the first patient at Sussex Eye Hospital to undergo a "pioneering" artificial cornea transplant.

David Orams said he began suffering vision loss six years ago and despite numerous surgeries and attempts to restore eye function with different transplants, none were successful.

The 80-year-old underwent a procedure shortly before Christmas and says he is "looking forward to seeing more sunshine and blue skies" after his recovery.

Sussex Eye Hospital, part of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is only one of five NHS trusts to offer an artificial cornea transplant.

Consultant ophthalmologist Mayank Nanavaty said the procedure gave patients "renewed hope".

"We are incredibly proud to be the first trust in Sussex to offer artificial corneal transplants for patients who have previously rejected human corneal transplants," he said.

"The entire hospital team all played a vital role in caring for our first patient who underwent this pioneering procedure."

Treatment for damaged cornea typically involves removing all or part of the damaged cornea and replace it with a donated human tissue.

However, for some patients, the donated tissue is rejected by the body which causes further problems, such as eye pain and blurred vision.

Mr Orams added: "I was extremely grateful to be offered the opportunity for a new artificial transplant by the team in Brighton.

"I'm gradually regaining my sight and I can appreciate my surroundings once again."

So far, Sussex Eye Hospital has treated five patients using this new procedure.

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