Oman has successfully performed over 300 corneal transplants by the end of October 2026. This success has been achieved since the activation of the localization program for ophthalmic services in 2023, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
Localization Program for Ophthalmic Services
Dr. Haitham bin Hilal Al-Mahrouqi, corneal transplant consultant, cataract surgeon, and vision correction specialist at Al Nahda Hospital, stated that this initiative aims to create a sustainable treatment system through collaboration with international eye banks and the Oman Organ and Tissue Donation Center, as well as local hospitals.
He added, "This achievement represents an unprecedented increase in the number of these treatments and is a testament to the success of the program in localizing specialized corneal transplant techniques." Dr. Al-Mahrouqi noted that corneal transplant methods are divided into two categories: full transplant and partial transplant.
Establishment of a Corneal Bank in Oman
Dr. Al-Mahrouqi explained that the program organizers are in the process of establishing a corneal bank in Oman to make the best use of the existing human organ donation system. He expressed hope that the corneal bank will be integrated into the national ophthalmology and eye surgery program, which was established as a result of royal directives.
This indicates progress in corneal transplant services and their integration into the specialized national health framework. With the localization of corneal transplant services, the need to refer patients to specialized centers abroad has been eliminated. Dr. Al-Mahrouqi noted that Oman previously sent about 80 patients annually abroad for this procedure, which imposed a significant financial burden on patients and their families.
He added that since 2023, these services have been fully localized, and since then, this sector has not recorded any referrals for corneal transplants abroad.
