Glaucoma in Africa with Dr Alan Crandall
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Transcript of Glaucoma in Africa with Dr Alan Crandall
Glaucoma is the leadingcause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
Africa is disproportionally affected compared to the rest of the world.
• Surgery is the best choice for treating glaucoma in the Developing World.
• The ASCRS Foundation’s Robert Sinskey Eye Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will begin a surgical glaucoma initiative later this year (2011).
The foundation recently interviewed Dr. Alan Crandall, Senior Vice Chairman of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of
Utah. Dr. Crandall has made several trips to Africa to train local ophthalmologists and is a past ASCRS president.
“…glaucoma is a major cause of permanent blindness in Africa.“The principle problem is
that there are very few doctors or facilities where people can be treated. So the actual incidence of glaucoma is not well‐known.”
Glaucoma eye‐drops arenot an option in Africa.A month’s dose of pressure‐reducing drops in the U.S. might cost $100.
That’s a full year’s income for the average Ethiopian and there are no pharmacies near the villages where the patients live.
A surgical approach is the best avenue for treating glaucoma patients in poor areas, like Ethiopia.Treating glaucoma requires the
ophthalmologist to reduce the patient’s eye pressure to a safe range.
The surgical method offers a better chance for long‐term success in instances where the ophthalmologist gets only a single opportunity to treat the
glaucoma patient.
The Robert Sinskey Eye Institute’s lead ophthalmologist, Dr. Kefyalew, estimates that 25% of his
patients have some form of glaucoma.Without treatment, those patients may face eventual blindness.
The Sinskey Eye Institute will need instruments and equipment to test for glaucoma and perform surgery, along with medications for post‐
surgical care.
For more information about the ASCRS Foundation’s surgical glaucoma initiative in Ethiopia, or to make a donation to help with the foundation’s humanitarian work, visit
www.eyedonate.org