Sight-saving procedure to become available at QEH

Young Barbadians diagnosed with keratoconus, a progressive eye disease that can lead to severe vision loss, now have access to a vital treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

Thanks to a donation from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, the QEH has acquired a corneal cross-linking machine, which halts the progression of keratoconus. The Trust also funded the purchase of essential supplies, including riboflavin eye drops, a key component in the procedure.

Keratoconus, which typically develops in adolescence or early adulthood, causes the cornea—the clear front surface of the eye—to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This distorts vision and, if untreated, may lead to corneal scarring or the need for a transplant. Cross-linking is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens the cornea, stopping the disease from advancing and preserving sight.

Chairwoman of Keratoconus Barbados, Roseanne Myers, welcomed the development.

“Five years ago, when we launched Keratoconus Barbados, it was because, like Keisha Russell-Greaves [secretary of the group], we came up and struggled with keratoconus. As adults, we then heard about cross-linking,” she said, adding that they learned that their vision problems could have been halted much earlier if the condition had been diagnosed and treated in time.

Myers added that the organisation was proud not only to be part of the launch but also to contribute directly to the sustainability of the programme.

“We were able to purchase the riboflavin, which is required to insert into the eye when you’re doing the procedure. That is an expensive commodity, and we have a number of supplies here. We, as Keratoconus Barbados, are committed to continuing to supply the QEH with the necessary riboflavin to make the surgeries possible,” she said.

She also praised the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, pointing out that many families could not afford treatment on their own.

“We’ve been in the fight for a long time together, helping children individually, but the strategic objective was always to ensure that the QEH was going to also be a treatment centre…. Even now, several children and parents reach out to us saying, ‘My child has been diagnosed, what do I do?’”

Phillipa Challis, trustee of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, said the organisation was determined to make this sight-saving treatment accessible to those who need it most.

(SB)