King Saud Medical City performs successful cornea transplant for 25-year-old patient

King Saud Medical City has achieved a significant medical and humanitarian milestone by completing the journey of posthumous cornea donation, culminating in the successful transplantation of a donated cornea to a 25-year-old patient. The procedure was conducted as part of the one-day surgery program, reflecting the integration of specialized medical efforts and the tangible impact of innovative initiatives on patients' lives.

This achievement began on August 26, 2026, when the hospital's general organ donation unit, in cooperation with the National Eye Bank, completed the first posthumous cornea donation case in the Kingdom. The process was carried out under the national organ donation system, represented by the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT), according to the center's statement.

The journey continued on September 3, 2026, with the successful transplantation of one of the donated corneas at King Saud Medical City for a 25-year-old patient. The operation was performed by Dr. Mohammed Al-Amro, a consultant in corneal surgery, alongside the city's corneal surgery and transplantation team. The cornea moved from donation, extraction, preservation, and preparation to actual therapeutic use.

The procedure followed a thorough evaluation and selection of the most suitable recipient by the specialized medical team, in accordance with approved medical standards. This ensured optimal use of the donated cornea and demonstrated the readiness of King Saud Medical City's medical and specialized staff to handle such delicate operations.

This accomplishment highlights the integrated role of all participating medical teams, from the organ donation and intensive care units to those responsible for preserving and preparing the cornea, and finally the corneal surgery and transplantation team. The achievement was made possible through collaboration with the National Eye Bank and the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation.

The success of this journey underscores the importance of coordination among various medical specialties and health entities within the organ and tissue donation and transplantation system. It also demonstrates the profound humanitarian impact of donation decisions, which can offer new hope and treatment opportunities for patients.

This achievement builds on King Saud Medical City's ongoing efforts to support organ and tissue donation programs and strengthen collaboration with specialized health agencies. These efforts aim to expand opportunities for the use of transplantable tissues and achieve lasting health and humanitarian benefits.