Building a Retina Surgery Program in Sierra Leone

A mission team reflects on surgical innovation, logistical challenges, and the long-term goal of building sustainable vitreoretinal care in West Africa.

By
Sean J. Jin, MD
Tedi Begaj, MD
Lloyd Harrison-Williams, MBBS
Steven Yeh, MD
Grant A. Justin, MD
July 1, 2026
11 min

Retinal Physician

Background

The development of vitreoretinal surgery in resource-limited settings like Sierra Leone is critical due to the high demand for specialized eye care and the lack of trained professionals. The Ebola outbreak catalyzed efforts to build surgical infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of addressing both immediate and long-term healthcare needs.

Data Highlights

No numerical data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

The collaboration began in 2015, focusing on ophthalmic complications in Ebola survivors.
By March 2026, approximately 400 vitreoretinal surgeries had been performed in Sierra Leone.
Logistical challenges include disrupted supply chains and the need for backup power during surgeries.
Training local ophthalmic surgeons is a key component of establishing sustainable care.
Complex ophthalmic care, including corneal transplants, has been successfully delivered in the region.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should consider the unique challenges of providing specialized surgical care in resource-limited settings. Training local surgeons and establishing robust logistical frameworks are essential.