HelpMeSee Pushes for Surgical Workforce Expansion to End Cataract Blindness

In the World Health Organization African Region, three in four people requiring cataract surgery remain untreated, highlighting a disparity driven by infrastructure gaps and a critical shortage of skilled personnel. Dr. Nicoletta Fynn-Thompson, Chief Medical Officer at HelpMeSee, emphasizes that recognizing the scale of the crisis is insufficient without sustained financial commitment to the institutions providing surgical education. The push for a more robust workforce aligns with the World Health Organization’s recent consultation on a global initiative to increase cataract surgery coverage by 30 percentage points by 2030.

To bridge the gap, HelpMeSee utilizes high-fidelity virtual reality and haptic feedback simulation to accelerate the competency of eye-care professionals. This training system allows surgeons to master techniques and respond to complications in a controlled environment before moving to clinical practice. As global leaders prepare for the upcoming Global Summit for Eye Health, the organization is also sponsoring a weeklong HIFA spotlight to facilitate discussions among policymakers and researchers. Doug May, President and CEO of HelpMeSee, maintains that eradicating preventable blindness requires a coordinated effort across governments and NGOs to ensure that quality care reaches the communities where it is needed most.