Ibra Hospital performs Oman's first partial corneal transplant
Breakthrough supports decentralised healthcare and expands specialist services beyond Muscat
Ibra – A medical team at Ibra Hospital has successfully performed Oman's first partial corneal transplant at the secondary healthcare level, marking a significant milestone in the decentralisation of advanced medical services.
The patient, aged 74, had suffered severe vision loss due to damage to the endothelial cells lining the cornea, which regulate fluid drainage. The build-up of fluid had caused impaired vision.
Dr Saif bin Mubarak Bani Araba, consultant in corneal surgery and head of the team, said the 90-minute operation involved replacing only the damaged part of the cornea using healthy tissue from a deceased donor. 'Partial transplants have a higher success rate and better acceptance by the body than full transplants,' he explained.
The procedure highlights the Ministry of Health's efforts to improve access to specialist care across all governorates and reduce the need for treatment abroad.
Dr Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Shikaili, of the National Organ Transplant Programme, said the operation was part of a broader strategy to enhance ophthalmology services and local medical capabilities. Over 125 corneal transplants have been performed in Oman between September 2023 and May 2025.
The Ministry also plans to establish a national eye bank within five years to ensure self-sufficiency and expand corneal transplant services across the Sultanate.
This achievement reflects Oman's growing capacity to deliver high-quality, decentralised healthcare for all.
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