to put an end to corneal blindness
It has now been over one year that the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected our way of life and shifted the way we think about and prioritize every aspect of our lives. If there’s one thing that this virus has taught us, it is that we are really one human family and that regardless of country, race, ethnicity, gender, political standing or other arbitrary divisions we place on ourselves, we are really one humanity facing the same world issues. Similarly, the solutions for these issues need to be global, and when we artificially believe that taking care of our own will protect us, we realize that unless we extend that care to everyone around the world, we are still left vulnerable.
A Devastating World Problem
Millions worldwide suffer from reversible corneal blindness that affects not only themselves but also their families, communities, and nations. Individuals who have reversible corneal blindness are no longer able to work or contribute their valued share to society.
In identifying that the culprit of this serious problem is lack of access to eye care in underprivileged areas throughout the world, many organizations have taken on the challenge of coming up with sustainable solutions. One such organization, which is highlighted in this issue of Corneal Physician, is SightLife, a “global health organization that collaborates with strategic partners in Asia and Africa to expand patient access to the corneal health services they need,” writes Josie Noah, the organization’s chief global officer, in the article, which starts on p.34.
The constant work SightLife provides for transplant advocacy, eye banking, and surgical technology that is taken to regions where so many are suffering from corneal blindness is a testament to the organization’s commitment to thinking and acting globally to end corneal blindness. These organizations and the doctors that volunteer their time and resources to help others locally and internationally serve as an example of the world embracing vision that we must all adopt.
Looking Ahead
Expanding cornea care worldwide means tackling the issue of tissue shortage. To take on this issue, we will need continued advances in technology to reach more patients in the absence of sufficient corneal tissue globally. Along these lines, this issue of Corneal Physician also provides articles that describe the latest innovations that will allow corneal surgeons to deliver sight to more patients.
Specifically, Drs. Martin De La Presa and Edward J. Holland discuss injectable corneal endothelial cell technology that can potentially deliver sight to hundreds of patients by expansion of endothelial cells from a single donor. Further, Drs. Matias Soifer, Hazem M. Mousa, and Victor L. Perez discuss updates in keratoprosthesis options for those with severe ocular surface disease where standard corneal transplantation is not a viable option.
Rounding out what I believe you’ll find to be a comprehensive issue are articles regarding Demodex blepharitis (Elizabeth Yeu, MD); the management of corneal lumps and bumps in preoperative patients (Clara C. Chan, MD, FRCSC, FACS); scleral lens use for irregular corneas and ocular surface disease (Deborah S. Jacobs, MD); how SMILE and LASIK each have their place in the refractive surgery suite (Vance Thompson, MD); and what lies ahead for corneal cross-linking (R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD). With a world embracing vision and excitement for the innovations that make the field of corneal disease so rewarding, I hope you enjoy this issue of Corneal Physician. CP
