THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has announced the successful completion of 14 corneal transplant surgeries as part of a “groundbreaking” collaboration with internationally renowned Corneal Surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Williams of Duke University, North Carolina, USA.
According to a release from the hospital, Dr. Williams arrived in Guyana on July 13, 2025, and embarked on a three-day mission during which he not only performed complex corneal surgeries but also provided critical training and mentorship to local surgeons.

“Our local surgeon, Dr. Celeste Hinds, who has been previously trained in corneal surgery, worked closely with the visiting surgeon in the GPHC Department of Ophthalmology,” the hospital noted in a release.
Dr. Williams serves as the Director of the Duke Global Ophthalmology Program (Duke GO), which, according to GPHC, “focuses on restoring sight worldwide and training residents and young surgeons to deliver high-quality eye care.”
Through this programme, he also facilitated “the donation of human corneal tissues for transplant use in Guyana.”
“During his three-day mission at GPHC, Dr. Williams and the local team completed 14 corneal transplant surgeries using human corneal tissue procured through the Duke GO program,” the statement said.
In a significant milestone for the local health sector, the hospital confirmed that “Dr. Williams successfully performed a partial-thickness corneal transplant, referred to as DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) – this is the first time this procedure has been performed in Guyana.”
Dr. Williams’ impact in the global ophthalmology field is notable.

As GPHC highlighted, “He performs hundreds of cataract surgeries and corneal transplants annually across Africa, Central America, and other underserved regions.”
The hospital added, “Notably, in 2021, he performed the first-ever corneal transplant in Sierra Leone.”
He is also “the founder and Chairman of the Board of HelpMercy International and co-founder of the educational platform MoranCore, which provides ophthalmology training resources globally.”
The release explained that corneal transplant surgery is a vital intervention to restore sight, “Corneal transplant surgery, or keratoplasty, replaces damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore vision.
This procedure is essential for patients suffering from conditions such as corneal scarring, keratopathy (swelling), keratoconus, or endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to blurred vision and, in severe cases, eventual blindness.”

GPHC first launched corneal transplant services in 2016 through a successful partnership with The George Subraj Foundation, completing 99 surgeries by 2021.
“The foundation played a crucial role in sourcing corneal tissues, making these life-changing surgeries accessible to Guyanese patients who previously had to travel overseas for treatment,” the release said.
However, the programme had experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, GPHC affirmed its renewed dedication alluding to its efforts to reestablish a sustainable corneal transplant programme and lay the groundwork for a local eye bank.
Describing the partnership with Duke GO as “a significant step forward in this journey,” the hospital emphasised that it “represents a promising long-term partnership to combat corneal blindness in Guyana.”

“This will be a continuous collaboration moving forward, aimed at building local capacity, enhancing clinical outcomes, and ensuring greater access to sight-restoring care for patients in need.”
“The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation remains committed to improving access to specialised eye care and training the next generation of local eye surgeons, ensuring that sight-saving procedures are available to all who need them,” the release said.