​In May this year, Tygerberg Hospital became one of only a few centres worldwide to offer a highly specialised type of corneal transplant that replaces only a thin layer, instead of the whole cornea.

Dr Leonard Heydenrych with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS)' Division of Ophthalmology, performed a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on Eerste River resident Mrs Gladys Maistry (68). She suffers from Fuch's corneal endothelial dystrophy, a condition which causes gradual clouding of the cornea. Heydenrych was assisted by Dr Derrick Smit.

“DMEK surgery involves transplanting only the inside layer of the cornea instead of the full-thickness cornea," says Heydenrych. “Patients recover much quicker after this procedure than after a traditional full-thickness corneal transplant, and usually see much better."

Heydenrych received specialised training in the transplantation of only specific layers or lamellae of the cornea at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Planning for this procedure started approximately a year in advance and was made possible through a public-private partnership between Tygerberg Hospital and the Slick Restaurant Group. Ian Halfon and Doron Duveen, who are the directors of the Slick Restaurant Group, provided financial support of approximately R200 000 for this project by providing a specular microscope. This special microscope enables corneal surgeons to count the endothelial cells at the back of the cornea in order to decide on the suitability of patients for this special type of surgery.

Up to date Tygerberg Hospital has now performed five DMEK surgeries, and is soon to become one of the leaders in lamellar corneal surgery in Africa.

Caption: In front are Prof Meyer and Ms Gladys Maistry, and at the back are Drs Leonard Heydenrych and Derrick Smit, Mr Ian Halfon and Dr Kurt Maart.