12.11.2024

The surgical treatment of complex vitreoretinal pathologies is being launched in the Department of Eye Microsurgery of Almaty Children’s Emergency Medical Care Centre. For this purpose the Department has been equipped with the advanced laser-surgical system Constellation Vision, three  ophthalmic surgeons have been trained abroad in the centre specialising in complex children’s ophthalmic surgeries. The project was implemented by AYALA Charitable Foundation in partnership with Chevron.

Vitreoretinal surgery is associated with operations for severe forms of retinal and vitreous diseases. This is the most complex area of eye surgery and relates to one of the most high-tech areas of modern medicine, rapidly developing worldwide.

Over the last 10 years, retina and vitreous body pathologies in children of different ages is increased in Kazakhstan. Therefore, one of the leading areas of work of the Department of Eye Microsurgery at the Children’s Emergency Medical Care Centre will be the surgeries related to retinopathy of prematurity, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, Coats disease and other severe eye diseases.

“Chevron is proud to support the development of advanced paediatric ophthalmology services in Kazakhstan. By equipping healthcare facilities and training specialist ophthalmologists, we help to provide children with complex eye pathologies with high quality medical care right here in the home country. This initiative reflects our commitment to improving access to medical care and improving the quality of medical treatment for Kazakhstanis,” commented Yerkin Zikibayev, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Chevron Eurasia.

Paediatric vitreoretinal and laser surgery has been developing in Kazakhstan for several years. Due to the large flow of small children with severe medical pathology of the retina being in need of such surgeries, they will be able to receive the surgical treatment in the multidisciplinary Children’s Emergency Medical Care Centre in Almaty. Here, children aged 2 months and older will be able to undergo the necessary surgical treatment by a team of ophthalmic surgeons trained in Delhi by the Professor Dr. Nikhil Pal, a world-recognised specialist in paediatric vitreoretinal surgery.

“Almaty Health Department fully supports the development and implementation of innovative approaches in children’s healthcare. We also support the expansion of accessibility of advanced medical services provided to the population in public health care centres,” stated Nazgul Imangaliyeva, Acting Head of Almaty Public Health Department.   

Constellation Vision ophthalmic surgical system is a modern medical complex for laser and vitreoretinal surgeries for various pathologies of the anterior and posterior eye segments. It provides the ability to cut the vitreous body and tissues, emulsify the lens, illuminate the posterior segment of the eye-ball, as well as apply diathermy to stop bleeding and perform dozens of other manipulations required for vitreoretinal surgeries.

“From January to October this year, 57 Kazakhstani children together with their parents had need to go abroad, to India and Russia, for vitreoretinal surgeries. We believe that the main result of the project implemented today is the elimination of the need for parents to seek funds for making such surgeries abroad. We are happy to take the active part in the development of paediatric ophthalmological service in Kazakhstan and we thank Chevron for supporting our efforts to that end,” emphasised Aidan Suleymenova, Founder and President of AYALA Charitable Foundation.