Sri Lanka: National Eye Hospital Suspends Critical Keratoconus Surgeries Due to Nine-Month Drug Shortage
By Lions Roar Aotearoa Health Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) — Hundreds of patients awaiting critical eye surgery are facing prolonged delays as the National Eye Hospital in Colombo has reportedly suspended procedures for Keratoconus—a condition where the cornea bulges outward—for nearly nine months. Hospital sources revealed that a persistent shortage of the essential drug Riboflavin has brought these specialized surgeries to a standstill since April last year.
The delay poses a significant risk to patients, as Keratoconus can lead to progressive vision loss if not treated in its early stages through a process known as corneal cross-linking, which requires the missing medication.
💊 The Riboflavin Crisis
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a vital component in the treatment of Keratoconus. During surgery, it is applied to the eye and activated by ultraviolet light to strengthen the corneal tissue.
- Timeline of Shortage: The drug has been unavailable at the National Eye Hospital since April 2025.
- Patient Impact: Hundreds of surgeries remain on the waiting list. For many young patients, for whom this condition is most common, the delay could mean the difference between maintaining their sight and requiring a full corneal transplant in the future.
🏥 Official Response from Hospital Leadership
Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Director of the National Eye Hospital, confirmed the situation when questioned about the backlog. He highlighted a significant bottleneck in the procurement process that has hampered the hospital’s ability to resume operations.
“There is currently only one supplier for this specific medication,” Dr. Bandara stated. “We are forced to wait until this sole supplier provides the necessary stock to the hospital.”
The reliance on a single source for such a critical drug has raised concerns regarding the resilience of the medical supply chain within the state healthcare sector.
⚠️ Risks of Untreated Keratoconus
Medical experts warn that Keratoconus typically affects both eyes and can progress rapidly. Without access to the Riboflavin-based cross-linking procedure:
- The cornea continues to thin and steepen.
- Vision becomes increasingly distorted and blurred.
- Severe cases may result in corneal scarring, necessitating invasive surgery.
