Free Corneal Replacement Surgeries to be Provided Under Major Initiative

The government says surgeries to replace the cornea in the eye will be introduced to Antigua and Barbuda in the coming months. The Health Ministry says it is in the advanced stages of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Eye Mission in the United States for these surgeries, which will be free of cost to Antiguans and Barbudans.

Health Minister Hon. Michael Joseph told his cabinet colleagues on Wednesday that five corneal replacement surgeries are expected to be performed in the first instance under this initiative.

The government says this is part of efforts to expand access to advanced and modern eyecare services to Antiguans and Barbudans.

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped covering at the front of each of the eye which plays a key role in how a person’s eyesight works. It also helps to filter some ultraviolet (UV) rays.

More in the ABS Evening News at 7.