Scleral buckle surgeries performed for first time at GPHC

See below statement: 

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation continues to strengthen access to specialized eye care in Guyana following a successful week-long surgical partnership held from February 9 – 13, 2026.

The initiative brought together local and international Retina specialists to manage complex Retinal conditions and introduce advanced surgical techniques at the hospital.

The collaboration was led by our own Dr. Arlene Bobb-Semple, an Ophthalmologist with Vitreoretinal specialty training, alongside visiting U.S. Retina specialist Dr. Krishi Peddada, who joined as part of the World Eye Mission. The primary objective was to identify and surgically treat particularly challenging Retinal cases while providing hands-on collaboration and mentorship for local surgical teams.

During the mission, a total of 11 complex Retinal surgeries were performed. These included two scleral buckle procedures, which were performed at GPHC for the first time. This milestone represents a significant expansion of the hospital’s Retinal surgical capabilities. Scleral buckle surgery can either be used as a primary method of Retinal detachment repair, or it can be used in conjunction with a vitrectomy in complex and recurrent detachments.

Currently, Dr. Bobb-Semple is the only Retina surgeon practicing in Guyana. Since joining GPHC in 2018, she has played a pivotal role in developing the hospital’s Retina services and, following the acquisition of vitrectomy equipment, has been performing complex Retinal surgeries locally since 2021. In the absence of a local ophthalmology subspecialty programme, specialists are required to undergo several years of advanced training overseas before returning to serve the country. Dr. Bobb-Semple’s commitment to completing this extensive training, including an additional year of subspecialty training in vitreoretinal surgery, has been key to making advanced Retinal surgery accessible in Guyana and expanding the availability of highly specialized, sight-saving care at GPHC.

Visiting specialist missions such as this, provide valuable opportunities for the exchange of skills and advanced techniques, while also reducing the need for overseas referrals and improving access to critical eye care for patients locally.

The ultimate aim of these initiatives is to strengthen GPHCs’ and, by extension, Guyana’s capacity to manage complex Retinal diseases. With continued development, advanced procedures such as scleral buckle surgery have the potential to become routine options for eligible patients.

We are proud of the surgical team for this significant and successful collaboration. Their collaborative effort reflects a strong commitment to advancing patient care and expanding specialized services within Guyana’s healthcare system. Through continued partnerships and local leadership, GPHC remains focused on improving access to advanced, sight-saving eye care.