In November 2017, Dr. Brenda Gallie and Stephanie Kletke (PGY4 resident) travelled to Guangzhou, China to participate in retinoblastoma care and education. They worked closely with Dr. Junyang Zhao (Retinoblastoma specialist) and Dr. Liwen Jin (Pediatric Ophthalmologist) and observed vitrectomies performed by Dr. Qiyan Li (Vitreoretinal surgeon) at the Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital. This group recently described planned PPV and endoresection of active retinoblastoma refractory to standard treatments as an alternative to enucleation in children with only one remaining eye, with no cases of extraocular dissemination.1
They also attended the 2017 Lifeline Express Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus International Summit Forum in Guangzhou. Dr. Gallie gave a lecture on steps to eliminate retinoblastoma-related deaths within the next 10 years. Dr. Gallie and Stephanie also observed intra-arterial chemotherapy at the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Hospital. Stephanie then travelled to Shenzhen to participate in examinations under anesthesia with Dr. Zhao. Dr. Gallie continued for a second week as a Visiting Consultant of the Chinese Foundation for Lifeline Express Eye-Train, giving lectures on retinoblastoma to Chinese physicians at the Zhanjiang Second People’s Hospital in Guangdong province, LiuZhou Women and Children’s Hospital, Guangxi, and Shanghai 9th People’s Hospital. This was a fantastic educational experience that will facilitate future collaborations with retinoblastoma providers in China.
