PR85979

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

  -- Not-for-profit campaign announces medical training breakthrough

     with its Eye Surgery Simulator

HelpMeSee, the not-for-profit global campaign to end cataract blindness, today

announced a landmark achievement in medical simulation training

(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2941847-1&h=2940565530&u=https%3A%2F%2Fhelpmesee.org%2F&a=medical+simulation+training )

with the completion of its Eye Surgery Simulator. Equipped with sensory touch

feedback and realistic virtual graphics, the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator,

incorporated within the HelpMeSee Training Program, supports the training of

cataract specialists on the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS)

procedure, a solution that could help end the global cataract blindness crisis.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308699/HelpMeSee.jpg 

"The HelpMeSee team, as well as technology partners Harman, InSimo, and

SenseGraphics, are pleased to announce this medical advancement on World Sight

Day, an event to advance vision health across the globe," said HelpMeSee

President and CEO Saro Jahani. "The HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator overcomes

the traditional restraints of cataract surgery training with unlimited virtual practice

opportunities. It also offers the benefits of remote simulation-based training during

the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting the risks of exposure to coronavirus infection."

More than 60 million people across the world are blind or severely visually

impaired simply because they cannot access cataract surgery, according to the

World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for the

Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The HelpMeSee Simulator and training program

along with partners can develop a significant number of cataract specialists

that public health experts say are needed to address the developing world

ophthalmologist shortage, a factor behind the cataract surgery backlog.

The simulator was the innovative vision of Flight Safety International Founder

Albert L. Ueltschi and his son, James "Jim" Tyler Ueltschi. In 2010, they

founded HelpMeSee to end the backlog of cataract and visual impairment cases

caused by the lack of access to high-quality, affordable cataract surgery.

Jim Ueltschi, Co-Founder and Chairman of HelpMeSee, said, "This achievement

will truly change the world of ophthalmology. Every specialist we train on the

Eye Surgery Simulator will treat thousands of people each year. Over time,

millions will have their vision restored through the cataract surgery skills

honed on the HelpMeSee Simulator."

The HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator encompasses an adaptation of an actual

virtual microscope used in surgery, two haptic handpieces, a virtual syringe,

the patient head and hand rest, and a touchscreen user interface, powerful

visuals and simulation software, and everything required to simulate an MSICS

surgery. The two handpieces and syringe represent the complete set of surgical

instruments needed to perform an MSICS procedure. Programmed lessons with

onscreen guides and error messages assist the student in mastering the MSICS

technique and the instructor in providing objective feedback.

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee is a global not-for-profit campaign to end the backlog of cataract

blindness and visual impairment caused by the lack of high quality, affordable

cataract surgery. For more information, go to HelpMeSee.org (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2941847-1&h=2028142603&u=https%3A%2F%2Fhelpmesee.org%2F&a=HelpMeSee.org ).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sean Connolly

pr@helpmesee.org

717-525-3004

Source - HelpMeSee