Ethiopia Training
Procedure Performed for First Time in Ethiopia
In partnership with the ASCRS Foundation and the Robert Sinskey Eye Institute in Addis Ababa, the Himalayan Cataract Project helped to facilitate the first suprachoroidal stent implant in Africa this October.
The procedure was developed for those dealing with glaucoma. The stent is placed into what is referred to as the supraciliary space of the eye during or after cataract surgery to reduce intraocular pressure.
The procedure was completed as part of an intensive training for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery. Drs. Sean Ianchulev, Chief Medical Officer of Transcend Medical, and Dr. Steven Sarkisian of the Dean A. Mcgee Eye Institute provided the training.
The training is part of a collaboration to help bring new approaches to glaucoma treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Participating Ethiopian doctors were Drs. Allehone Ayalew, Abeba Giorgis, Girum Gebreal, Nahom Tiruneh, Zerihun Hailu Fisseha Admassu and Abiye Mulugeta.
Now that the training is complete, Transcend Medical is hoping to donate a large number of these microstent devices for use in Ethiopia in the years to come.
Read more about our work in Ethiopia here.
