Pioneering Transcontinental Laser for Africa-Partnering with the Macula and Genoma Foundation

Synchronicity is when life events conspire to make magic.  In 2018, we opened Global Retina Institute to advance eyecare to the world through training.  We had no scheduled patients.  We believed that delivering excellence to patients with innovation, compassion, a focus on health, in a positive environment would grow our non profit and help reach the world.

We bought a laser, the Navilas laser from Germany but the sophisticated laser couldn’t be launched until we had 10 patients needing laser for the German manufactuere to come to Arizona and set the laser up and train us on the immense capability of this innovative laser.

Problems represent opportunities.  I prayed. The next day a University of Arizona medical student asked for help with her father, an uninsured Type 2 diabetic. “Where does he receive his medical care?” I asked.”Saint Vincent de Paul?”  The lightbulb went off and our first 10 patients to our practice were monocular advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients needing laser. Advanced patients who cannot access our healthcare system and cease care are called “lost to follow up” patients.  Research has shown the prognosis for these patients is better if laser is used.  We discovered that the Navilas laser performing pan retinal laser photocoagulation was much less uncomfortable and faster than traditional laser.  This discovery would connect us eventually to Rome, Italy where they had a similar laser and mission.

On Feb 24, 2024, we partnered  with the Macula and Genoma Foundation in Rome and treated two patients in Rome, Italy while Dr. Andrea Cusamano treated our volunteer patient at Global Retina Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This monumental pilot proved that treating retina patients across continents was possible with innovative technology, the Navilas navigated laser.  Advancing care for rural and international-hard-to-reach places was no longer a dream; our pilot showed that virtual mentoring could be possible with advanced technology: laser and satellite internet.

Many thanks to our surgical coordinator, Sheri Schwartzkopf, and our medical student, Amal Altaf, and our executive director, Robin Martini,  for coming in at 6am here in the US and volunteering. The patient, a veteran, was so excited to participate that he brought donuts and coffee for the team.

Watch the video of this landmark event Transcontinental laser.  

We then published this work about transcontinental laser.

We showed that complex retinal laser treatment could be performed in another country with the use of an advanced laser like Navilas and the internet.

Cabrini is a wonderful movie about the missionary, Francesca Cabrini who built orphanages and hospitals around the world.  In 1990, she had moxy, chutzpah, kahunas.  She had to convince the mayor of NY, the Italian Senate in Rome and Pope Leo XIII for funding, support, and permission to help the poor. The Cabrini Method follows her lead,  and we presented this work at GIVRE in Naples, Italy to vitreoretinal surgeons.  Dr. Cusamano then presented it to the Italian Senate in Rome.

Here is a sneak peek in the Italian Senate.

Dr Andrea Cusamano and Dr. Marco Lombardi presented the collaboration and the potential to reach millions needing retinal care.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the laser using navigational drone like technology whee we can access the laser in another country with a key code and internet and map the treatment plan

onto another patients retina image while teaching.

In May of 2025, Andrea Cusamano visited Global Retina Institute so we could launch Phase 3: fundraising for our partnership.

Dr. Cusamano visit to Global Retina Institute launched our project to deliver train ophthalmologists in Africa in diagnosis and treatment using innovation, technology and teamwork.

 

 

 

 

 

In a pioneering collaborative project between Europe and the United States, we demonstrated the feasibility of remotely guided retinal laser photocoagulation, successfully treating patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion using real-time expert guidance.

This technological innovation paves the way for a care model capable of overcoming geographical barriers, enabling the training of new doctors and the provision of specialized treatments even in the most remote areas of the world.

Our goal is to bring this technology to Africa, so that access to eye care becomes a universal right, not a privilege.

“Dream big and double it!” one of my dear patients recently said to me.   Watch us team up on Italian TV (translated to English) .en_Domenica In – 12-05-25 (5)_translated (1) 2