Azerbaijan opens first eye bank to support corneal transplants

Azerbaijan on Tuesday opened its first eye bank, a step expected to support corneal transplant procedures in the country, Health Minister Teymur Musayev said at a conference marking the 103rd anniversary of academician Zarifa Aliyeva and the 80th anniversary of the National Ophthalmology Centre.

Musayev said Azerbaijan performed its first corneal transplant from a local cadaver donor last year, and that the launch of the eye bank marked the next step in developing that field.

The conference was held at the National Ophthalmology Centre named after Zarifa Aliyeva and was attended by local and foreign specialists.