#USA #Jersey City #HelpMeSee #Cataract Blindness #surgical training

HelpMeSee's Call for Action on World Sight Day

On World Sight Day, HelpMeSee, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating cataract blindness, has made an urgent plea for increased investment in skilled surgical personnel. With an estimated 94 million adults aged 50 and older suffering from visual impairment or blindness due to untreated cataracts, this call comes at a critical time. Over 50% of these individuals lack access to necessary cataract surgeries, highlighting a global healthcare crisis.

In regions like Africa, the World Health Organization statistics reveal that three out of four people requiring cataract surgical procedures remain untreated. These staggering numbers indicate the urgent need for more trained medical professionals who can perform effective surgeries. Dr. Nicoletta Fynn-Thompson, Medical Director at HelpMeSee, emphasizes that tackling this issue requires more than acknowledgment; it demands sustainable investment in both individuals and institutions that can deliver quality surgical care where it is most needed.

The Need for Skilled Surgical Workforce

Cataract surgery is highly effective, but its expansion hinges on the availability of adequately trained surgeons. The systemic shortages and unequal distribution of qualified ocular professionals, along with infrastructural and economic challenges, often obstruct access to necessary care. There is a pressing need for comprehensive training programs designed to enhance the skills of surgical teams in communities where cataracts pose a significant health challenge.

The organizational call for a heightened focus on funding comes amidst pivotal initiatives led by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently commenced a public consultation regarding a Global Initiative to Eliminate Avoidable Blindness. This plan aims to increase effective cataract surgical coverage by 30 percentage points by 2030. Further underscoring the urgency, the upcoming World Eye Health Summit will convene global leaders to discuss strategies for achieving universal eye care access.

Innovative Surgical Capacity Development

To tackle the surgical workforce shortage, HelpMeSee is pioneering a competency-based, simulation training program designed to equip surgeons with the skills necessary to perform manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Through partnerships with training institutions worldwide, HelpMeSee is working on building sustainable surgical capacity and ensuring the transfer of skills to clinical practice. Their training approach integrates high-fidelity virtual reality and realistic haptic feedback with structured curriculums and instructor-led teaching.

This method allows surgical trainees to repetitively practice surgical techniques, respond to complications, receive objective performance feedback, and build competencies in a simulated environment prior to real-world application. Investing in strong partnerships and sustained human resources is crucial for enabling communities around the globe to access effective cataract care.

Fostering Global Conversations

In conjunction with World Sight Day, HelpMeSee is sponsoring a week-long initiative dedicated to the Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) project, emphasizing issues like cataract blindness, surgical quality, and the efficacy of simulation-based training, from October 8 to 14. The resulting international dialogue will gather health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss the global burden of cataracts, surgical availability and quality, and necessary policies and resources to expand access to quality cataract care.

As Doug May, President and CEO of HelpMeSee, aptly states, "No organization can address the global cataract treatment gap alone. Progress requires strong alliances and consistent investments in people, training, and institutions that make quality cataract care possible."

Addressing cataract blindness on the necessary scale will depend on coordinated actions among governments, healthcare systems, training institutions, NGOs, donors, and local partners. Strengthening the surgical workforce and the institutions that support them must be a central component of these efforts.

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee is committed to eliminating cataract blindness in a world where 100 million people are afflicted by vision impairment or blindness due to cataracts. Founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, HelpMeSee advocates for a transformative approach to training in MSICS, which is a cost-effective and highly successful surgical solution. Their training system combines high-fidelity virtual simulation with realistic haptic feedback, advanced instructional materials for skill acquisition, and e-learning resources.

Founded by aviation experts Al and Jim Ueltschi, HelpMeSee integrates teaching methods successfully utilized in commercial pilot training to address this pressing health issue. Al Ueltschi, co-founder of Orbis International, devoted his life to stamping out avoidable blindness in developing nations, making HelpMeSee a vital player in restoring sight through high-quality training worldwide. With an impressive array of over 40 simulators and 19 training centers globally, HelpMeSee collaborates with governments, universities, and innovators to combat the global cataract blindness crisis. For more information about their mission, visit HelpMeSee.