#cataract surgery #HelpMeSee #Guinea #Conakry #MSICS Training

HelpMeSee Launches Innovative MSICS Training System

A Leap Forward in Cataract Surgery Training

HelpMeSee, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to combatting preventable blindness, recently announced a major advancement in surgical education at the French-Speaking African Ophthalmology Society (SAFO) conference. The unveiling of their Comprehensive Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) Training System signifies a transformative approach to training future cataract surgeons. Scheduled for a global rollout in the second quarter of 2026, this innovative system aims to enhance the quality of surgical education and make a significant impact on reducing the rate of blindness caused by cataracts.

Addressing Training Bottlenecks

Traditional surgical training often comes with significant challenges, one of which is the lack of adequate live-patient experiences. HelpMeSee's new system addresses this issue head-on by offering:

• - High-Fidelity Virtual Reality Simulations: These simulations provide realistic haptic feedback that accurately reflects the physical sensations of live surgery, greatly enhancing the learning experience for trainees.
• - Massive Repetition Opportunities: Trainees will have the chance to perform between 300 to 500 simulated procedures in just one week. This level of practice is unprecedented and would normally take months or years in a traditional clinical environment.
• - Holistic Curriculum Coverage: The program goes beyond mere surgical techniques, encompassing vital instruction on patient selection, complication management, and enhancing bedside manners to create well-rounded professionals.

Championing Change in Africa

The announcement was made by Dr. Jean-Marie André, a frontrunner in the field who has dedicated over 25 years to training surgeons across Africa. "The goal has always been to move faster than the rate of blindness," Dr. André emphasized. By provisioning this cutting-edge, simulation-first system, HelpMeSee aims to empower a new generation of surgeons to deliver world-class care from their very first days in practice.

Dr. André’s commitment is echoed through HelpMeSee's expanding network in Africa, which currently features several active training hubs across the continent. These include respected institutions like the Ghana Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Eleta Eye Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania, and The Mazava Program in Madagascar. All of these sites are integral to fulfilling HelpMeSee’s mission to combat cataract blindness aggressively.

The Larger Mission

HelpMeSee aspires to eradicate cataract blindness, a condition affecting around 100 million people globally. Founded under IRS 501(c)(3), the organization is dedicated to enhancing the training of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS)—a safer, cost-effective, and swift procedure with successful outcomes. The HelpMeSee MSICS Training System leverages high-fidelity virtual reality, sophisticated courseware, and electronic learning aids, all designed to boost skills and efficiency among trainees.

Co-founders Al and Jim Ueltschi were inspired to create this training system by integrating the methodologies used effectively in commercial pilot training. Al Ueltschi, also a co-founder of Orbis International, is remembered as an aviation legend who was committed to addressing preventable blindness in the developing world. HelpMeSee's vision functions on the principle that every community deserves access to highly trained MSICS specialists.

With over 40 simulators and 15 training centers worldwide, HelpMeSee collaborates with governments, educational institutions, and innovators to tackle the global cataract blindness crisis head-on. This forward-thinking approach is not just a response to an urgent health issue, but rather a quest to equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to create a future where cataract blindness is a thing of the past.

For more information about HelpMeSee and their initiatives, please visit HelpMeSee.