Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai marks first year of operation on World Sight Day 2008

In its first year of operation, around 70% of the patients treated by Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) have been local Nationals from the UAE and surrounding Gulf states. MEHD today marks its first anniversary with a reception hosted at the hospital for VIP guests and senior representatives of Dubai Health Care City, to coincide with World Sight Day 2008.

The highlights of the first 12 months in Dubai were emphasized at the reception. Since opening, MEHD has conducted around 5,500 outpatient consultations and performed more than 450 surgeries, many of them complex - such as the latest techniques in corneal transplant surgery and advanced retinal surgery. However, the impact of the hospital has been even wider than the treatment and care offered; MEHD conducted the region's first 'white stick' training session, the hospital's first school vision screening programme and is providing regional field support for research into genetic eye diseases being undertaken in London. More recently, MEHD offered a free vision screening programme in the summer and has been treating needy patients, many of them children, through the Noor Dubai initiative.

Addressing the audience of VIP guests at the anniversary reception, Dr Chris Canning, CEO and Medical Director at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said:

"Our first year of operation in Dubai has met all our expectations, in terms of delivering innovative treatment and care, supporting professional training and education, and also initiating our research activities. We are also very pleased that so many Emiratis and local Nationals from other Gulf states have shown their confidence in our capabilities; in fact, most of the patients we cared for over the last 12 months were from the National communities in the region and this is very gratifying."

Dr Canning explained the connection of the first anniversary with World Sight Day: "The issues of vision and eye health are at the forefront on World Sight Day and our simple message to the community today is that regular screening of vision and eye health - a quick, simple and painless examination - can help protect this most valuable of all our senses."