HelpMeSee Chief Medical Officer Co-Authors Compelling Manuscript On MSICS Simulation For Addressing Global Cataract Blindness

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HelpMeSee Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Glenn Strauss and Dr. Ajay Singh, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, have jointly published a manuscript addressing the burden of global cataract blindness and the urgent need to train surgeons in the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgical (MSICS) procedure.  This procedure is globally recognized as a viable, high quality, yet low cost solution toward the elimination of cataract blindness.

The article, published in SAGE Publications' Journal of Surgical Innovation, highlights the effectiveness of MSICS, the variability in the traditional training of eye surgeons in this procedure and the expansion of simulation-based technology training in medical skills training. Furthermore, both authors offer innovative insight of a full-immersion, physics-based surgical training simulator as the centerpiece of a scalable, comprehensive training system for training manual small-incision cataract surgery.

To access the full article, please use the following link provided by SAGE Publications - http://sri.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/08/07/1553350614537120.full

"This manuscript underlines HelpMeSee's education and training of MSICS and acknowledges that this procedure is the best available technique to successfully address the nearly 22 million people suffering from cataract blindness globally, especially for people living in underserved, remote regions where access to eye care is limited," said Dr. Strauss.

Throughout the world, untreated cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, making up 51% of all cases. Approximately 22 million people are bilaterally blind due to cataracts, and an estimated 167 million suffer from severe cataract visual impairment. The unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of people afflicted by this debilitating condition live in developing countries, where their livelihoods and their families' wellbeing depend greatly on their eyesight. These populations lack access to high-quality eye care – preventing them from receiving the surgeries that could restore their vision.

Simulator Technology for Training

In the manuscript, Drs. Strauss and Singh state, "simulator training offers objective and performance-based training progression. A trainee can undergo a controlled introduction of variables and sequences using a carefully designed, peer-reviewed set of performance parameters.  These factors were determined by the complete deconstruction of a standardized MSICS technique and surgical force data measured during actual cataract surgery. Surgical variables and complications are included in the simulation."

The manuscript challenges traditional training stating that, "simulation gives the option of multiple repetitions of skills with objective measures of performance. Trainees experience a wide range of scenarios without risk to patients."

"Surgical simulation for cataract surgery has traditionally been tailored towards surgeons in the US, Europe and industrialized nations and involves procedures not easily implemented in the developing world," said Dr. Singh. "The HelpMeSee model and strategy is a unique approach to converge innovative technologies, including the MSICS simulator, and focus on one particular procedure of cataract surgery. MSICS is a qualified cataract surgical procedure that is known to yield high quality outcomes at a very low cost."

As part of the HelpMeSee campaign to eliminate cataract blindness, HelpMeSee selected Moog Inc. to design and produce a high-fidelity virtual reality MSICS training simulator.  With simulators installed in training centers around the word, HelpMeSee will enable developing nations to perform high quality, high volume surgeries to save the sight of millions of blind people worldwide. 

Moog Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B), designs and manufactures high performance motion control solutions in a range of industrial applications including simulation for pilot, medical and dental training. Working as sub-contractors with Moog, technology partners SenseGraphics and InSimo will provide state-of-the-art technology that increases the realism and functionality of the simulator to levels not achieved in other systems.

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee (www.HelpMeSee.org) is a global campaign to eliminate cataract blindness endemic in developing countries. The HelpMeSee mission is to make sight-restoring, MSIC surgery available to millions of underserved people through financial support and the training of thousands of highly skilled specialist cataract surgeons recruited from within their communities. HelpMeSee has designed and is now producing a virtual reality surgical simulator and training program to be implemented worldwide, adapted from extensive experience in simulator based aviation training.

About Moog Inc.

Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog Industrial Group designs and manufactures high performance motion control solutions combining electric, hydraulic, and hybrid technologies with expert consultative support in a range of applications including energy production and generation machinery, industrial production machinery and simulation and test equipment. We help performance-driven companies design and develop their next-generation equipment. Moog Industrial Group, with fiscal year 2013 sales of USD 592 million and over 40 locations worldwide, is part of Moog Inc. (NYSE:MOG.A and MOG.B), which has sales of USD 2.61 billion. For more information please visit http://www.moog.com/medsim-training/.

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SOURCE HelpMeSee