Around twenty patients are set to benefit from cornea transplants at CHU-JRA. The campaign, launched Wednesday, has already enabled about ten procedures to be carried out.
Approximately twenty patients are to receive cornea transplants as part of a campaign currently underway at the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital Centre. Launched Wednesday, August 12, the procedures will span roughly two weeks. A dozen transplants have already been completed.
"The main indications are corneal abscess, traffic accidents and progressive keratoconus," explains Prof. Léa Raobela, head of the ophthalmology department. Patients must first consult this service to undergo necessary examinations. Those for whom a transplant is indicated are then placed on a waiting list. "There are many patients waiting," the specialist notes. Procedures are then scheduled based on graft availability.
The cornea is the transparent membrane at the front of the eye. When it becomes cloudy or deformed, it can cause significant vision loss. A quick consultation helps determine if a transplant is necessary and, if so, place the patient on the waiting list.
Hope for patients
The corneas used come from deceased donors. Before use, they undergo several analyses and checks. They are then preserved for approximately three to four weeks. Grafts are transported from the cornea bank in Lyon, France. The current campaign is part of an annual agreement established since 2012. Grafts are transported to Madagascar free of charge. However, costs related to surgery and medication remain the patient's responsibility. The procedure typically lasts between one and one and a half hours, depending on case complexity.
The journey of Henintsoa, who received a cornea transplant in 2021, illustrates the importance of these procedures. Diagnosed with keratoconus in 2019, she could see only about 1/10 in both eyes. Her transplant, scheduled for 2020, was eventually postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, she received the long-awaited call from the hospital's ophthalmology department for the procedure. No rejection occurred after the transplant. Four years later, she claims to have regained 9/10 vision with her rigid contact lens. "Today, I see 9/10 with my rigid lens and I'm living again," she testifies, thanking the medical team.
Despite these campaigns, many patients remain waiting. In Madagascar, local cornea harvesting is not yet possible under necessary conditions, making the country dependent on foreign grafts. For Prof. Léa Raobela, quick consultation remains important for any eye problems. "When an eye problem occurs, it's best to consult a healthcare professional quickly." This allows assessment of corneal condition and, when a transplant is necessary, placement on the waiting list.