UAE's First Locally Sourced Corneal Transplant Restores Sight and Brightens Patient's World

A 74-year-old Jordanian man, Yaseen Abdel Majid Alabdalat, is experiencing a significantly improved quality of life following the UAE's inaugural corneal transplant utilizing tissue sourced within the country. While similar procedures have been conducted in the UAE before, they relied on imported donor tissue. This groundbreaking procedure, which utilized donor tissue from Abu Dhabi Biobank and surgical expertise from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, was performed to correct severe vision problems Mr. Alabdalat faced after complications from cataract surgery in Jordan last year. The initial surgery resulted in bullous keratopathy, a condition causing swelling and blistering of the cornea, leading to blurred vision and light sensitivity. A subsequent procedure to reposition the lens implant in his right eye was also necessary, but repeated surgeries increase the risk of losing vital endothelial cells, with corneal transplantation being the only definitive solution.

Since his transplant on October 20, Mr. Alabdalat has made a strong recovery and is nearing full vision restoration. He shared, “The pain used to come two or three days a week and there was nothing I could do about it. I had been using prescription eye drops which gave partial relief but did not address the cause.” He added, “The vision in that eye had deteriorated to the point where I could not read any more. My eyes were painful. But when I had the operation in the morning – and I was home the same afternoon – the pain was gone and my vision had improved. I am taking it slowly, and I come back for my checks. On the first follow-up I could see all five fingers from a distance. The world seems brighter and more colourful, and I can appreciate nature more.”

Despite the success of corneal transplantation in restoring sight, a global shortage of donor tissue poses a significant challenge. However, a new partnership between Abu Dhabi's Department of Health and M42 aims to enhance access to these vital supplies. Abu Dhabi Biobank Eye Bank is set to begin processing imported donor corneal tissue in the first quarter of 2027. Dr. George Corrent, head of the cornea service at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Abu Dhabi, who performed the endothelial keratoplasty, expressed optimism about future patient benefits. “Endothelial keratoplasty replaces only the thin inner layer of the cornea, so the eye keeps most of its own structure and recovery begins sooner,” Dr. Corrent explained. “Our first patient went home the same day, and when he returned for a follow-up review towards the end of October, he was recovering in line with expectations at this early stage. What made the procedure possible was donor tissue reaching our operating room through Abu Dhabi Biobank. That is exactly the pathway this agreement now builds at scale.”

Global statistics highlight the disparity between demand and supply for donor corneas. A 2016 JAMA Ophthalmology survey indicated only one donor cornea was available for every 70 needed. A more recent JAMA study in September, covering 122 countries, revealed that while 214,299 corneal transplants were performed in 2022 (a 16.1% increase over a decade), the procurement of 312,349 corneas that year (a 10.2% increase) was outpaced by population growth, creating substantial gaps. The initiative in the UAE, with improved access to replacement corneas, could significantly alter this landscape.

The initial phase of the Abu Dhabi Bio Bank will focus on processing imported donor tissue, with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute contributing clinical protocols, operational standards, workforce training, research, and education. Dr. Zain Kenderian, the institute's chief executive, emphasized the importance of local tissue availability: “For a patient with corneal blindness, the surgery is rarely the obstacle – the tissue is. An eye bank in Abu Dhabi means donor tissue can be processed, quality-assured and released here, close to the patient and the surgeon. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Abu Dhabi brings to this partnership the protocols, standards, and training. We see the eye bank as infrastructure for research and education as much as for transplantation.”