Eyeworld

ASCRS FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM AT THE 2025 ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING continued from previous page He noted some of the ocular injuries that are often seen, including blast injuries, penetrating and perforating injuries, and chemical and thermal injuries, as well as a backlog of prior injuries/neglected care. Fifteen percent of war injuries are ocular. Dr. Batliwala highlighted the importance of sustainabil- ity, in his personal experience and with humanitarian work in general. The biggest takeaway he had from his experi- ence was that none of this matters if we come back and we haven't empowered doctors there to take care of patients. Dr. Batliwala said humanitarian ophthalmology is about clinical skill, strategic communication, and cultural humility, but above all else, it's about resilience. 'Humanitarian Eye Outreach Trip Safety Prep' Dr. MacDonald provided her perspectives on safety when performing humanitarian outreach. Safety is based on a lot of prep work before you go, she said. Dr. MacDonald first noted the importance of making sure you have a license to practice in the country. Reg- istering and obtaining a license to practice is basic, but surprisingly, this is common feedback from the Ministries of Health, and healthcare leadership reported that it is some- times ignored. Partnering with an in-country NGO or system allow for proper referral pathway standards, and utilizing pre-trip protocols and standards is critical to establish patients' safe- ty. Utilize time-outs, working within your scope of practice, and not allowing junior surgeons to practice. If you hear the comment, "This is better than nothing," Dr. MacDonald said to pause and know that is a red flag. This indicates we are trying to justify our care, and we need to stop and take time to reassess. If it is not an emergency, it is not an emergency, and you don't have to do the surgery. For individual doctors and nurses, some tips are bring the equipment you will need and review common diseases in the area that you will be visiting; it is quite likely there is pathology you haven't seen. Other important considerations are making sure your passport is up to date and your customs paperwork is regis- tered properly. It's good to know your insurance coverage as well. Dr. MacDonald noted three sites to look at before you go: the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (with the U.S. Department of State), Global TravEpiNet (Massachusetts General Hospital and the CDC), and Pack Smart (CDC sug- gestions of prepping for a trip). Dr. Shevchyk noted that one of the most common mistakes in first aid was covering eyes with cotton bandages without a shield. Using a bandage without a shield can lead to additional trauma. Humanitarian ophthalmology is about resilience, Dr. Batliwala said in the symposium, where he offered insights on this kind of work. Source: ASCRS 'Delivering Ophthalmic Care in Humanitarian Crisis Zones' Shehzad Batliwala, DO, spoke about doing humanitarian work in Gaza and offered some insights and tips for similar humanitarian work. Preparation is key and not just clinical- ly, he said. He noted that one eye hospital in the region served around 2 million people, and it was a very resource-deplet- ed environment. While there was a great team there, the structure of the system limited their potential. Dr. Batliwala showed a photo of the supplies he was able to bring with him on his trip, noting that there were many border restrictions, so you often need to maximize your supplies. He also showed a video of the OR where the lights went out in the middle of a procedure, forcing him to pause the case. The hardest thing is to control your com- posure, he said. It's a very resource-limited environment, and that's when you have to be creative and adapt to the situation.

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