Optique, T&T Hospital save child’s only seeing eye in critical surgery

Optique Eye Hospital, in collaboration with Trinidad Eye Hospital, recently facilitated and delivered a highly complex retinal detachment surgery at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The patient, a 13-year-old child with a severe retinal detachment in the only seeing eye, faced imminent and irreversible blindness. The procedure – one of the most technically demanding surgeries in vitreoretinal ophthalmology – was undertaken as a secondary measure to preserve remaining vision and optimise the potential for visual recovery. The surgery was completed successfully, and the clinical team remains cautiously optimistic as post-operative healing progresses.
Retinal detachment surgery of this complexity typically requires overseas referral. In many jurisdictions, the surgical cost alone can exceed US$50,000, excluding travel, accommodation, and associated expenses – creating a significant financial burden for families and healthcare institutions.
Through this regional collaboration, the surgery was performed locally in Guyana, ensuring timely intervention without the need for international transfer.
Importantly, all professional fees and associated costs were discounted, and the entire cost of the procedure was fully covered jointly by Optique Eye Hospital, Trinidad Eye Hospital, and GPHC, ensuring that the child and family bore no financial burden.

This case reflects a broader strategic initiative to build sustainable, high-level subspeciality ophthalmic services within Guyana and across the Caribbean. Dr Bhola and team are in Guyana this week for the initiation of this effort to integrate regional expertise with local infrastructure. Advanced care is now accessible at home within the soon-to-be-launched OPTIQUE EYE HOSPITAL at 350 New Market Street, Georgetown.
Consultant Vitreous & Retina Surgeon Dr Ronnie Bhola stated, “We are very proud to have been part of this project and very pleased that, through collaboration with CEO of Optique Eye Hospital Dhani Narine and Dr Shailendra Sugrim, this was made possible here in Guyana.
Cases like this demonstrate that highly specialised, world-class eye surgery can be delivered within our region, reducing the need for families to travel abroad and bringing hope to patients facing possible blindness.”
Chief Executive Officer of Optique Eye Hospital, Dhani Narine, added: “Our mission is not only to deliver eye care but also to elevate the standard of what is possible within Guyana and the Caribbean.
This case demonstrates that with the right partnerships, a friendly investment climate offered by the Government of Guyana, and commitment, highly complex subspeciality procedures can be performed locally at an international standard. We remain committed to investing in advanced ophthalmic services so that no child or adult has to leave the country for sight-saving care when it can be delivered safely and effectively at home.”
The successful management of this case underscores the importance of continued regional collaboration, sustained investment in specialist infrastructure, and a shared commitment to preserving sight for children and adults within Guyana and throughout the Caribbean.