Global Outreach – Bali, Indonesia

Global Outreach – Bali, Indonesia

Greetings!

We are pleased to share an exciting update from the Cure Glaucoma Foundation. In collaboration with The Glaucoma Society of Indonesia and Opedai University, we successfully completed the MIGS Didactic Course and Wet Labs Conference in Bali, Indonesia, in March 2023. This educational event trained 36 Indonesian surgeons in various glaucoma treatment procedures, with a particular focus on the MIGS procedure.

The course featured a combination of live and virtual lectures presented by 12 renowned experts in the glaucoma field. Attendees had the unique opportunity to participate in live surgical training and wet lab sessions, gaining hands-on experience in the latest glaucoma treatment procedures. In total, 22 surgeries were performed during the three-day event.

The impact of this training program is significant, as it will shape the landscape of glaucoma management in Indonesia. Several surgeons who participated in the course were already proficient in multiple types of glaucoma surgeries and were able to expand their treatment options by incorporating MIGS. We hope that their expertise and experience will inspire other surgeons in the region to explore these innovative procedures.

Dr. Tosin Smith, one of the organizers of the conference, shared her perspective on the program’s impact, stating; “The joy of organizing and delivering this program lies in witnessing the ripple effect it has on physician education and patient care in Indonesia and other countries worldwide. The impact of the program is not only to treat those patients that we see, but to bring those surgeons up to date and provide them with follow up as they get comfortable with these newer glaucoma treatment procedures. The program also helped to shed light on existing deficiencies in the healthcare system. As a result of this program, it was discovered that laser trabeculoplasty was underused due to limited exposure and lack of equipment. Laser trabeculoplasty is a safe, teachable, and effective nonincisional method for lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.”

Building on this discovery, the Indonesian embassy in Washington DC has expressed interest in offering educational grants to institutions that can support physicians in the region and enhance their skill sets. The Cure Glaucoma Foundation is actively seeking educational institutions that can benefit from these grants and contribute to further advancements in glaucoma care in Indonesia.

We are delighted by the outcomes of this educational collaboration and the potential it holds for improving glaucoma treatment and care in Indonesia. Together, we are making a positive impact on both physicians and patients, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to transform the glaucoma landscape.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Cure Glaucoma Foundation