A 3-month old Baby’s First Eye Contact: Czech Infant Regains Vision After Bilateral Corneal Transplant at LVPEI, Hyderabad

A 3-month-old infant boy from the Czech Republic, Baby Imad, born with severe bilateral Peters’ anomaly (a rare developmental disorder causing dense corneal opacity at birth), has regained meaningful functional vision after advanced pediatric corneal care at L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad.

Both eyes were involved, with the left eye being more severely affected. After detailed evaluation and counselling, the child underwent advanced surgery involving bilateral corneal transplantation (full-thickness corneal grafting), followed by intensive postoperative monitoring and a strict medication regimen. As expected in severe Peters’ anomaly, the left eye was complicated by glaucoma, which was managed with medication and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) to achieve stable intraocular pressure control.

On follow-up, the infant showed improved visual behavior, including fixation and better visual engagement, suggesting early functional visual development. “In syndromic Peters’ anomaly, outcomes can be unpredictable, but timely intervention and meticulous follow-up can help establish a clear visual axis during a critical window of visual maturation,” said Dr. Muralidhar Ramappa, a pediatric cornea specialist at LVPEI, who has routinely managed complex pediatric corneal referrals from over 50 countries over the past two decades.

The parents shared, “When your child makes eye contact for the first time and smiles, the feeling is indescribable. LVPEI supported us medically and emotionally through every step.”