Patients with complex and sight threatening eye diseases can now benefit from direct case consultations with world leading ophthalmology specialists through an international teleconsultation network connecting Vietnam and the Russian Federation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2.2 billion people worldwide are currently living with some form of vision impairment, of whom around 1 billion cases could have been prevented or have yet to receive appropriate treatment. In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health estimates that approximately 2 million people are blind or have visual impairment.
Notably, more than 80% of these cases are preventable or treatable. However, many patients still face barriers to timely access to specialized eye care and appropriate treatment.
Beyond their direct impact on quality of life, ophthalmic diseases also place a substantial burden on both the economy and healthcare systems worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), productivity losses associated with vision impairment are estimated at US$411 billion annually in purchasing power parity terms.
This figure far exceeds the estimated US$25 billion required to address unmet needs for eye care and vision treatment, underscoring the significant social and economic value of improving access to timely ophthalmic services.
Against this backdrop, international case consultation is becoming an increasingly important component of modern ophthalmic practice, particularly for complex conditions that require multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced therapeutic techniques. Connecting specialists from leading eye centers around the world enables physicians to broaden their clinical perspectives, enhance decision making in challenging cases, and bridge the gap between cutting edge scientific advances and real world patient care.
According to Dr. Dinh Thi Hoang Anh, PhD, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Hong Ngoc General Hospital: "Many complex ophthalmic conditions require the integration of multiple techniques and multidisciplinary expertise. International case consultations provide physicians with diverse professional perspectives that help optimize treatment strategies while increasing the likelihood of preserving vision, particularly in challenging or rare cases."
In response to this evolving trend, Hong Ngoc General Hospital, which holds ACHSI Global Healthcare Accreditation and is recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) as a Global Surgical Training Centre, has forged an international partnership with one of the world's leading comprehensive ophthalmology centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
The Federal State Autonomous Institution “S.N. Fyodorov National Medical Research Center – Interdisciplinary Scientific and Technical Complex ‘Eye Microsurgery’” is renowned for the treatment of complex and rare eye diseases, with more than 600 new medical technologies developed and introduced into routine clinical practice.
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Beyond professional collaboration, this partnership also serves as a bridge that enables Vietnamese patients to participate in direct consultations with international ophthalmology experts without leaving the country.
These consultation sessions will be conducted regularly through an online platform connecting Vietnamese physicians with specialists from the S.N. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Center. Participating experts include experienced ophthalmologists specializing in corneal diseases, vitreoretinal disorders, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and advanced ophthalmic microsurgery.
All clinical data and diagnostic images will undergo comprehensive multidisciplinary review before an individualized treatment plan is recommended. For cases requiring highly specialized intervention, such as ocular tumors, corneal diseases, or vitreoretinal disorders, Russian experts may travel to Vietnam to collaborate in surgery or facilitate referral and treatment in Russia when necessary.
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International consultations are creating new opportunities for Vietnamese patients to access advanced medical expertise while further strengthening collaboration between domestic ophthalmology services and some of the world's leading eye care centers. The initiative also provides an important foundation for enhancing professional capabilities and accelerating the adoption of advanced ophthalmic techniques in clinical practice.
