Improving Cataract Surgery Outcomes in the Pacific
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally. The Western Pacific has a median Cataract Surgery Coverage (CSC) of around 38%, much lower than SE Asia, 58%, and its Effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC = VA >6/18) is significantly lower at around 21% vs 42% respectively. Meaning that the quality gap is much inferior. (72% vs 55%). (REF:McCormick)
Although there is a need to increase cataract surgery volume, there is also a parallel need to ensure that this increase in quantity is not at the sacrifice of quality outcomes.
This project aims to improve cataract surgery outcomes in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea through a sustained long-term project of education and technical support for local surgeons, nurses and technicians.
The training program will include in country face-to-face workshops in surgical planning, biometry measurement & interpretation, wetlab surgical technique, complication management, refractive outcome optimization, surgical outcome measurement and audit. This will be complemented by virtual platforms, online lectures, and virtual mentoring and supply necessary equipment.
The beneficiaries will be the local nurses, technicians, surgeons, and patients. Governance by APAO.
This project will partner with RANZCO, SNEC and ISMSICS, with planned lecture series, virtual platform with wetlab sessions at APAO congress.
TOWARDS 6/6: A SICS WORKSHOP
August 22-23, 2024, in PEI, Suva, Fiji
Supported by:
Faculty: Dr Parikshit, Dr Shivram, Dr Yogesh, Dr Szetu, Dr Mundi, Dr Subash & Dr Jason
Venue: CWM Auditorium and PEI Classroom
Day 1 (August 22, 2024) |
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| Time | # | Session Details | Location |
| 08:00-08:05 | Opening welcome message from Prof Nitin Verma – APAO Gateway Committee & RANZCO Global Eye Health Chair (VIA VIDEO) | CWM Auditorium | |
| 08:05-08:15 | 1 | Cataract Surgery – The Journey in the Blue Continent – Dr John Szetu | CWM Auditorium |
| 08:15-09:00 | 2 | SICS – my technique – balancing efficiency and safety – Dr Shivram, Dr Yogesh and Dr Parikshit (VIDEO) | CWM Auditorium |
| 09:00-09:45 | 3 | Astigmatism control, biometry red flags and optimizing postoperative refractive outcomes – Dr Parikshit/Yogesh | CWM Auditorium |
| 09:45-10:30 | 4 | Pre-operative considerations and optomising co-morbidities Dr Shivram | CWM Auditorium |
| GROUP PHOTO with Banner Backdrop | |||
| BREAK | |||
| 11:00-11:45 | 5 | Intraoperative iris management inc small pupil, iris prolapse and iridodialysis – Dr Parikshit/Yogesh | CWM Auditorium |
| 11:45-12:00 | 6 | Managing vitreous loss, avoiding nucleus drop and anterior vitrectomy for the anterior segment surgeon – Dr Subash | CWM Auditorium |
| 12:30-13:00 | 7 | Cataract surgery outcome monitoring (CSOM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) – John Szetu | CWM Auditorium |
| LUNCH 13:00 14:00 (AUDITORIUM UNAVAILABLE) | |||
| 14:00 –16:00 | LIVE SURGERY 4 CASES = Dr Shivram and Dr Parikshit (Split Group) | PEI THEATRES | |
| Q&A on observed techniques | |||
| 14:00 –16:00 | WET LAB – SICS TECHNIQUE = Dr Yogesh (Split Group) | PEI CLASSROOM | |
Day 2 (August 23, 2024) |
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| Time | # | Session Details | Location |
| 08:00-08:55 | 7 | Post-operation ward round – discussion of post operative care | PEI CLINIC & CLASSROOM |
| 09:00-09:45 | 8 | IOL types (SULCUS, ACIOL, Sutured IOL) following PCT – Dr Shivram & Dr Subash | CWM Auditorium |
| 09:45-10:30 | 9 | Combined SICS and Trabeculectomy: technique, pitfalls, post operation management – Dr Parikshit/Yogesh | CWM Auditorium |
| BREAK | |||
| 11:00-13:00 | WETLAB – SCLERAL FIXATED SUTURED IOL & TRABECULECTOMY RELEASABLE SUTURES – Dr Jason, Dr Subash, Dr Shivram, Dr Parikshit, Dr Yogesh | PEI CLASSROOM | |
| LUNCH 13:00 – 14:00 (AUDITORUM UNAVAILABLE) | |||
| 14:00-15:50 | CASE and PANEL DISCUSSION and Audience Q&A | CWM Auditorium | |
| Dr Parikshit, Dr Yogesh, Dr Shivram, Dr Szetu, Dr Subash and Dr Mundi | |||
| Trainees to present cases x 4 | |||
| 15:50-16:00 | Closing Remarks – Dr John Szetu & Dr Parikshit | CWM Auditorium | |