Prevention of blindness in the Andes Mountains – Copenhagen Eye Institute strengthens keratoconus treatment in Potosí
Hospital Brancamonte in Potosí is one of the highest tertiary hospitals in the world at 4,070 meters above sea level. Potosí is the commercial center for some of the most remote areas of the Andes, where the majority of the population works in agriculture, livestock farming or in the silver mining areas surrounding the city.
Keratoconus is a disease in which the cornea at the front of the eye becomes progressively thinner and steeper. This disease is particularly prevalent in certain parts of the world and if left untreated, it develops early with the need for strong glasses and can eventually lead to blindness. For many patients, this means they are unable to go to school, work or support their families.
In 2021, ophthalmologists from the Copenhagen Eye Foundation started a project to treat keratoconus in the region. The project focuses on two main areas: First, we run a screening program together with three local ophthalmologists to find patients in the early stages who can undergo a relatively simple treatment called cross-linking. This treatment uses UV light to strengthen the cornea and stop the progression of the disease. Secondly, we offer corneal transplantation for patients in the late stages who are functionally blind. Corneal transplants are limited and we select patients very carefully and only operate in cases where the social impact can be greatest.
During the surgical campaign in fall 2021, we performed the first cross-linking treatments and corneal transplants and trained local ophthalmologists in the technique. Our goal is to find cases early enough and treat them before they become severe – just like we do in Denmark. For this purpose, it is necessary to place a permanent cross-linking UV machine in Potosí. This will make it possible to treat patients before keratoconus causes blindness, allowing hundreds of young people to continue their education and work and have the opportunity for a meaningful life.