More complications to Cuban eye surgeries
published: Friday | August 11, 2006

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Two months after complications stemming from the Cuban 'Miracle Eye Operation' surfaced, Dr. Albert Lue, head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Kingston Public Hospital, has said that more cases have surfaced.

In initial reports, Dr. Lue indicated that of 60 patients who were seen, 17 were found suffering from several complications stemming from their operation. To date, 200 persons have been reviewed and 49 patients have been found suffering from several complications, including secondary glaucoma and cloudiness of the cornea, damage to the iris and poor stitching technique.

"The secondary glaucoma is a big problem, it usually means that there is too much damage to the front half of the eye, meaning that the pressure of the eye goes up because of the surgery that you do and when that happens, if we cannot control that pressure, the patient will usually go blind after a while," explained Dr. Lue. He said that in some cases, ophthalmologists are trying to figure out ways to control the pressure that is built up in the eye in an effort to rehabilitate patients.

Trying to preserve sight

While corrective surgeries are being done free of cost by the Cuban Government, Dr. Lue claimed that not all patients are suitable for corneal graffs and as such, ophthalmologists are trying their best to preserve the sight of the affected patients.

Dr. Lue told The Gleaner that the Ministry of Health is aware of the increased number of complications; however, when contacted, Minister of Health Horace Dalley said: "That has not been brought to my attention."