A long-term goal of the EyeCare Project is to provide human resources capable of delivering quality, state-of-the-art eye care to the people of Armenia. Armenian physicians must have the ability, the skills and the knowledge to deliver to 21st Century medical care, equal to that available in the U.S. and other developed countries.
Telesurgery provides physicians in developing countries and remote regions with access to expert surgical training. The EyeCare Project has recently implemented a virtual training program, which allows the expertise of specialized surgeons in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world to be available to physicians in Armenia. Without leaving Armenia, which can be very expensive and time-consuming, physicians are taught to perform technically advanced procedures with confidence and with assistance and support from experts. Cameras attached to surgical equipment transmit real-time audio and high-resolution video images allowing the teaching surgeon to view the surgery in Armenia.
The AECP is expanding their telemedicine program for regional ophthalmologists, surgical nurses and other ancillary personnel. Ophthalmologists in Yerevan and in the United States will provide online, interactive training courses. With cameras attached to surgical equipment, surgeons in the U.S. will be able to watch regional ophthalmologists in real time as they are performing surgery and will be able to provide support and assistance. This will be especially important when regional surgeons have challenging cases.
