Is there an age limit for DMEK surgery?
When I met Martin he was 99 years old, partially deaf and had lost all eyesight in the left eye 6 years prior, due to an infection several months after corneal graft surgery carried out by a colleague.
Martin turned 100 this year, a centenarian milestone! He is a true inspiration, and has kindly given permission for me to share his story.
He was referred to me for right eye DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) corneal transplant surgery.
It was a privilege to carry out DMEK surgery for Martin, at the Central Eye Service at Central Middlesex Hospital managed by @Zain Juma, previously led by @Evie Mensah, with my colleague @Simon Levy, Sister Kristina Vida and our wonderful theatre and recovery team at the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH).
At his recent visit he was seeing 6/9 (20/30, driving vision) in the right eye! His DMEK is lovely and clear. I’m delighted to see him reading his Ipad again, maintaining his independence. It’s a great pleasure to see each day examples of wonderful human spirit and resilience. He was born deaf. Not letting this disability stop him, he was a watchmaker, and has two loving children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. His passions are reading his Ipad and playing Scrabble daily with family and friends.
I’m so impressed with his wellness and sharpness of mind. I’d love to write that as my next hospital prescription: Read daily to feed your soul and play Scrabble every day with family and friends!
#eyes #cornea #keratoplasty #DMEK #corneatransplantation #eyesurgery #healthyageing #ageingwell #nhs #healthcare #CentralMiddlesexHospital #LNWH_NHS #CentralEyeService
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Central Middlesex Hospital