Allergan Foundation's $50,000 Grant Targets China

Third Training Center To Be Completed by 2012

The ASCRS Foundation has received a $50,000 grant from the Allergan Foundation to support its work to train cataract surgeons in China. The grant will enable the completion of the third of four planned training centers.

In 2010, the foundation began a bold new initiative in China. Working in partnership with Project Vision and supporter David Chang, MD, the foundation will develop, outfit and staff four cataract surgery training centers. The Chinese Central Government eventually plans 100 rural cataract surgery clinics, and the ASCRS Foundation/Project Vision partnership will teach those surgeons who will ultimately staff the facilities.

The training centers are located in anchor hospitals and will use volunteer surgeons to instruct Chinese ophthalmologists in manual, sutureless, modified small incision ECCE. The goal is to reduce China’s growing backlog of 6.7 million cataract cases. The first two training centers have opened and a third is expected to begin operation in 2012.

As a nation, China has a severe shortage of cataract surgeons. Less than half of the country’s 23,000 ophthalmologists perform surgery, and most rural eye doctors have little or no training in cataract surgery. This, combined with the economic incentives for urban practice, has meant that quality surgery is either unavailable or unaffordable for much of China’s rural population.

The Allergan Foundation grant will enable the ASCRS Foundation to complete the remaining administrative requirements and launch the initial teaching phase of the project.

“The Allergan Foundation has been a generous and long-time supporter of the ASCRS Foundation’s humanitarian efforts and through their help we are now well-positioned to make a significant contribution to a major health issue in China,” said Richard Lindstrom, MD, ASCRS Foundation Chairman.