Life-changing corneal transplants in Bolivia – a sustainable collaboration led by Copenhagen Eye Institute
Corneal transplantation is the only treatment available for many cases of corneal blindness. It takes the coordination of many parties to make this possible. Donors must be found, patients must be selected, experienced surgeons must perform the operations, and patients must be followed up afterwards.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is Bolivia’s second largest city and medical referral center for over 7 million people in the eastern regions of the country. Since 2016, we have implemented a joint program with the Kolping Foundation in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and Amnitrans Eyebank in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to perform corneal transplants on patients with severe visual impairment.
Between 2016 and 2021, we have conducted 6 surgical campaigns, performing over 50 corneal transplants and examining over 2000 patients with severe corneal disorders. During these campaigns, we have also trained local ophthalmologists in both surgical and clinical aspects of corneal transplantation.
The project is now becoming sustainable, meaning that for the first time ever, vulnerable patients in the eastern part of Bolivia will have access to an operation that can reverse corneal blindness. This is life-changing for many and represents a huge step forward for the standard of eye care in this part of the country.