'World seems brighter', says patient in UAE corneal transplant first
The world has become a brighter place for a 74-year-old Jordanian man who underwent the UAE's first corneal transplant using locally-sourced tissue. Similar procedures have been performed previously in the UAE , but using imported donor tissue from outside the country. Donor tissue was provided by Abu Dhabi Biobank, with surgical expertise from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, to repair the sight…
A 74-year-old Jordanian man named Yaseen Alabdalat now enjoys a brighter world after undergoing the UAE's first corneal transplant using locally-sourced tissue. The procedure, performed by Dr. George Corrent from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Abu Dhabi, replaced the innermost layer of his cornea with tissue from the Abu Dhabi Biobank.
This innovative approach eliminated the need for repeated surgeries and the risk of losing essential endothelial cells. Mr. Alabdalat, who suffered from bullous keratopathy following cataract surgery, experienced immediate pain relief and significant improvement in his vision following the surgery on October 20. The transplant, which replaced only a fraction of the cornea, allowed him to regain near-perfect vision and appreciate the world around him with greater clarity and color.
As demand for donor tissue increases, a new partnership between Abu Dhabi's Department of Health and M42 aims to improve access to these vital supplies. The Abu Dhabi Biobank Eye Bank will begin processing imported donor corneal tissue in early 2027, enabling more patients like Mr. Alabdalat to benefit from life-changing corneal transplants.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- 'World seems brighter', says patient in UAE corneal transplant first thenationalnews.com
