Duke University helps GPHC restart corneal transplant surgeries

Jul 19, 2025 News

…14 surgeries completed in three days

Duke University helps GPHC restart corneal transplant surgeries

Doctors conducting the performing corneal transplant surgeries (GPHC)

Kaieteur News – The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday said that it has restarted its corneal transplant surgeries through a partnership with internationally renowned Corneal Surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Williams of Duke University, North Carolina, USA.

Fourteen corneal transplant surgeries were completed over the past three days.

GPHC first introduced corneal transplant surgery in 2016, through a successful partnership with The George Subraj Foundation, completing 99 surgeries by 2021. The foundation played a crucial role in sourcing corneal tissues, making these life-changing surgeries accessible to Guyanese patients who previously had to travel overseas for treatment.

Dr. Williams arrived in Guyana on July 13, 2025, and performed corneal transplant surgeries while training and tutoring local eye surgeons as part of a three-day mission. Local surgeon, Dr. Celeste Hinds, who has been previously trained in corneal surgery, worked closely with the visiting surgeon in the GPHC Department of Ophthalmology.

The hospital in a statement said that, “Dr. Williams is the Director of the Duke Global Ophthalmology Program (Duke GO), which focuses on restoring sight worldwide and training residents and young surgeons to deliver high-quality eye care. Through this program, Dr. Williams also facilitated the donation of human corneal tissues for transplant use in Guyana. Duke GO provides hands-on training to residents and fellows, with a strong focus on addressing global inequities in eye health and eliminating preventable blindness.”

During his three-day mission at GPHC, Dr. Williams and the local team completed the corneal transplant surgeries using human corneal tissue procured through the Duke GO program.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony (center) with CEO of GPHC Robbie Rambarran and corneal surgeons of the Duke Global Ophthalmology Program (GPHC)

“This visit marks a significant milestone in GPHC’s efforts to revive and expand corneal transplant services in Guyana. Apart from the standard procedure referred to as Penetrating Keratoplasty (where the entire thickness of the cornea is transplanted), Dr. Williams successfully performed a partial-thickness corneal transplant, referred to as DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) – this is the first time this procedure has been performed in Guyana,” GPHC said.

Dr. Williams performs hundreds of cataract surgeries and corneal transplants annually across Africa, Central America, and other underserved regions. GPHC disclosed that in 2021, he performed the first-ever corneal transplant in Sierra Leone. He is also the founder and Chairman of the Board of Help Mercy International and co-founder of the educational platform MoranCore, which provides ophthalmology training resources globally.

Corneal transplant surgery, or keratoplasty, replaces damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore vision. This procedure is essential for patients suffering from conditions such as corneal scarring, keratopathy (swelling), keratoconus, or endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to blurred vision and, in severe cases, eventual blindness.

GPHC said that it has renewed its efforts to re-establish a sustainable corneal transplant programme and lay the groundwork for a local eye bank following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The collaboration with Duke Global Ophthalmology marks a significant step forward in this journey and represents a promising long-term partnership to combat corneal blindness in Guyana. This will be a continuous collaboration moving forward, aimed at building local capacity, enhancing clinical outcomes, and ensuring greater access to sight-restoring care for patients in need,” the hospital said while committing to improving access to specialized eye care.

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Corneal transplant surgeries, Duke University, George Subraj Foundation, GPHC, surgery

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