I had the privilege of spending time at the Lions International Korle Bu Eye Centre in Ghana, participating in a collaborative training programme focused on advanced glaucoma surgery. It was an inspiring week that reminded me why I became an ophthalmologist and reinforced the global nature of our work to preserve sight.

A Collaborative Effort

This programme brings together expertise from multiple institutions, including UCL, Moorfields Eye Hospital and the West African College of Surgeons. The goal is simple but profound: strengthen local surgical expertise to improve long-term outcomes for patients with complex glaucoma across West Africa.

I had the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented surgeons from Ghana and Nigeria, teaching and supervising aqueous shunt surgery, a specialised procedure for patients whose glaucoma cannot be controlled with medications or standard surgical approaches.

Why This Work Matters

Glaucoma presents very differently in West Africa compared to what we typically see in the UK. Here, the disease is often more aggressive and patients frequently present much later during their condition. By the time many patients seek care, they have already experienced significant vision loss.

This late presentation makes surgical management critical. While we always emphasise early detection and prevention in my practice here, the reality in many parts of the world is that patients face barriers to accessing regular eye care. When they do finally receive treatment, they need surgeons with expertise in complex cases.

This is where programmes like this one become so valuable. By training and supporting local ophthalmologists in advanced surgical techniques, we are not just helping individual patients during a one-week visit—we are building sustainable capacity that will benefit thousands of patients for years to come.

Learning Goes Both Ways

While I was there to teach, I learned just as much from my colleagues in Ghana and Nigeria. The surgeons I worked with manage incredibly challenging cases with limited resources, demonstrating remarkable skill and innovation. Their dedication to their patients, often in difficult circumstances, was truly humbling.

Working in a different healthcare environment also sharpens your clinical skills. You learn to adapt techniques, make the most of available resources and focus on what truly matters for patient outcomes.

The Teams Behind the Scenes

A week like this does not happen by accident. There are teams in both Ghana and the UK who spend months organising logistics, coordinating schedules, arranging equipment and ensuring everything runs smoothly. From the administrators who handle travel arrangements to the local staff who welcome visiting surgeons and support the training programme, countless people contribute to making these collaborations possible.

I am deeply grateful to everyone involved in organising and supporting this programme. Being included in this work is a privilege I do not take for granted.

Bringing It Home

Experiences like this reinforce why I am so passionate about glaucoma care. Whether I am seeing patients here in my practice or teaching surgical techniques halfway around the world, the fundamental mission remains the same: preserve vision and improve lives.

It also reminds me of the importance of the work we do here. Early detection through regular comprehensive eye exams, especially for patients with risk factors for glaucoma, means we can often preserve vision with less invasive treatments. By the time glaucoma requires complex surgery, significant vision has usually already been lost.

If you have a family history of glaucoma, are of African descent, or have other risk factors, please do not wait for symptoms to appear. The earlier we detect and treat glaucoma, the better your long-term outcome will be.

Looking Forward

International collaboration in ophthalmology is not just about individual trips or teaching sessions, it is about building lasting relationships and creating sustainable improvements in eye care delivery. I hope to continue being part of this important work and to support the excellent surgeons I had the privilege of working with from Ghana and Nigeria.

To my colleagues at Korle Bu and across West Africa: thank you for welcoming me, for your dedication to your patients and for the important work you do every day. It was an honour to work alongside you.

Concerned about your glaucoma risk? Early detection is key to preserving your vision. Contact our office to schedule a comprehensive eye examination.