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Louisville Retinal Specialists Bring Advanced Training and Technology to Colleagues In Moldova
(LOUISVILLE, KY) – Louisville retinal specialists Dr. Marianne Cowley and Dr. Howard Lazarus brought much-needed equipment and training to colleagues in Moldova. Located between Romania and the Ukraine, Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. They made the trip as part of a program that takes Louisville ophthalmologists to Moldova and brings physicians from Moldova to Louisville for training. This is the second trip to Moldova for Dr. Lazarus and the third for Dr. Cowley.
They worked with doctors at the State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. The state-run hospital provides care for a large segment of Moldova’s population in areas surrounding Chisinau. Patients travel long distances for care and in some cases spend days to weeks in the hospital. Because of the lack of preventative care for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, many of the patients at the hospital have advanced complex surgical problems that are rarely seen in the U.S.
On this trip the doctors brought a state-of-the art high intensity xenon light source. This hands-free light source illuminates the entire inside of the eye. Because the surgeon does not have to hold the light in the eye, both hands are free to operate. This is especially valuable in complex cases as are common in Moldova. Dr. Lazarus performed surgery with his Moldovan colleague demonstrating advanced microsurgical techniques using this new equipment. Dr. Cowley taught laser surgical treatment of diabetic retinopathy. On previous trips the group brought a new laser for the operating room, a video system for teaching in the operating room, prescription drugs and instruments.
The program was initiated by several years ago by Dr. John Distler and has been primarily funded by the University of Louisville Pediatric Foundation. Additional contributions for this trip came from ophthalmic equipment and pharmaceutical companies, the John Kenyon American Eye Institute Foundation, and a private donation from Dr. Joe Arterberry.
“I’m proud to be a part of this group who were able to bring new surgical techniques and technology to the doctors in Moldova and provide training so that they can better serves their patients,” said Dr. Lazarus. He adds, “We have great respect for what our colleagues in Moldova have achieved with limited resources and we hope that we will be able to return soon.”
To make a donation to the John-Kenyon American Eye Institute Foundation please contact Dr. Howard Lazarus at
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