• ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • REPORTS
    • OUR BUSINESSES
    • CAREERS
  • CURRENT PRIORITIES
    • CLOSER TO HOME
    • AREA OF GREATEST NEED
    • JOEANNA’S HOUSE
    • HOSPICE HOUSE
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • ONLINE DONATION
    • MONTHLY GIVING
    • IH STAFF LOTTERY
    • MORE WAYS TO GIVE
  • EVENTS
    • FUNDRAISING EVENTS
    • PLAN A FUNDRAISING EVENT
  • VOLUNTEER
  • LATEST NEWS
    • IMPACT REPORT
    • NEWSLETTER
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • IMPACT STORIES
    • DONOR STORIES
  • DONATE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

ADVANCEMENT & INNOVATION IN EYECARE

VISION PRECISION

There are few things as unnerving as losing your vision. With a condition called glaucoma, it can be particularly distressing because glaucoma often has no symptoms. It develops gradually, with many people going years before noticing an issue and often losing some of their eyesight, which is not reversible.

Dr. Docherty with KGH Eye Care Centre Nurses Pam Koga, Melissa Burke, and Laura Unger. They were the first team in Western Canada to receive accreditation to use the Hydrus glaucoma stent, another tool to support minimally invasive surgery.

Thankfully, doctors can intervene, help protect the remaining vision and reduce the chances of further deterioration in vision.

The Eye Care Centre at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) provides surgical procedures of the eye, including cataract, macular degeneration, retina, and glaucoma surgery. The busy centre performs upwards of 8-20 glaucoma surgeries per week and its ophthalmologists recently began using a new set of equipment to further enhance glaucoma surgery at KGH.

When examining or performing surgery on an organ as small and delicate as the human eye, it is imperative to have the best visual equipment possible.

“Over a year ago, we treated a patient for complications from a Trabeculectomy – a type of glaucoma surgery – done in Vancouver,” explains Dr. Gavin Docherty, Ophthalmologist at KGH. “The patient was so pleased with our team and the excellent and professional care that he asked us if there was anything we needed to enhance our work.”

A bit surprised, Dr. Docherty and his team provided the individual with a list of equipment that could advance patient care in the Eye Care Centre. However, they kept their expectations in check.

But thanks to that grateful patient-turned- KGH Foundation donor, Dr. Docherty’s wish list was granted – exceeding all expectations. The donor provided the funding to purchase a new microscope for the Centre’s second operating room (OR 2), with a teaching scope attachment and a slit lamp with a mounted camera.

“The new microscope has expanded our ability to perform glaucoma surgery, in particular, angle-based or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery,” explains Dr. Docherty. “Now, both operating rooms are equipped to support the full spectrum of glaucoma surgery.”

The new microscope and accessories also promote enhanced learning. “I am able to teach residents, medical students and nurses to a much higher level with the new teaching scope,” says Dr. Docherty. “They can watch in real-time as I perform a surgery, plus we can record a surgery for learning later.”

Patients have noticed the difference as well. “I am so pleased they were able to get the new microscope to expand the capacity to do glaucoma surgery at KGH,” states one of Dr. Docherty’s patients. “I remember when I had to travel to Vancouver for my initial surgeries. It is such a blessing to have this available in our region now.”

“This gift has dramatically improved our ability to teach and train future health care providers and affords greater access for current patients,” says Dr. Docherty. “I am very appreciative of the generously donated funds to purchase this equipment – it has made such a difference in the care we can provide in the Eye Care Centre at KGH.”

–

Glaucoma is an eye disease that involves damage to the optic nerve as a result of increased pressure buildup in the eye. The nerve sends visual signals to the brain, where they are processed into what you “see”. The cause of glaucoma is not known.

Dr. Gavin Docherty,
KGH Ophthalmologist

“This gift has dramatically improved our ability to teach and train future health care providers…”

READ MORE

Headshot of Kyle Recsky

A Message From the Board Chair

Foundations Newsletter
Read Kyle Recsky's touching story as he reflects on his time as a board member of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
Read more
June 27, 2023
https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kyle-Recsky.png 1080 1080 Brad https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kghf-logo-wTag-01.svg Brad2023-06-27 21:04:252023-06-27 21:04:25A Message From the Board Chair

Gift Planning: From Vision to Legacy

Foundations Newsletter
Learn how the Shantz's are using blended giving to maximize their philanthropic impact at Kelowna General Hospital.
Read more
June 27, 2023
https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/John-and-Monica-Shantz.jpg 960 1280 Brad https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kghf-logo-wTag-01.svg Brad2023-06-27 20:53:362023-06-27 21:08:32Gift Planning: From Vision to Legacy

Must Be Love on the (Baby) Brain

Foundations Newsletter
The Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club has made a massive impact in the NICU - their calendar sales allowed for the purchase of BRAINZ monitors.
Read more
June 27, 2023
https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bonnie-Wilkie-Joseph-Daignault-Laura-Beresford-scaled.jpg 1775 2560 Brad https://www.kghfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kghf-logo-wTag-01.svg Brad2023-06-27 18:18:552023-06-27 18:22:05Must Be Love on the (Baby) Brain
Page 1 of 6123›»

Latest Newsletter

  • Headshot of Kyle Recsky
    A Message From the Board ChairJune 27, 2023 - 9:04 pm
  • Gift Planning: From Vision to LegacyJune 27, 2023 - 8:53 pm
  • Vision PrecisionJune 27, 2023 - 6:34 pm
  • Must Be Love on the (Baby) BrainJune 27, 2023 - 6:18 pm
  • Finding Calm in the StormJune 27, 2023 - 6:09 pm
  • Meet the ‘Home Team’June 26, 2023 - 10:31 pm
  • 3T MRI: Bring it HomeJune 26, 2023 - 10:07 pm
  • Closer to Home Campaign LaunchJune 26, 2023 - 9:43 pm

Follow us on Facebook

OFFICE HOURS

Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8am – 4pm

Friday: 8am – 12pm

Phone: 250-862-4438
info@kghfoundation.com

Charity Registration #11897 8733 RR0001

ADDRESS

The Foundation operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of syilx people.

 

Office – 2312 Pandosy Street
Mailing – 2268 Pandosy Street
Kelowna, BC  V1Y 1T2
Canada

LINKS

  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Foundations Newsletter
  • Reports & Financials
  • Registered Charity Information Return
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy

KEEP IN TOUCH

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

* indicates required
Email Consent
2023 © Copyright - Kelowna General Hospital Foundation
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Foundations Newsletter
  • Reports & Financials
  • Registered Charity Information Return
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
Scroll to top
Remembrance Bird Form
Ex. In Loving Memory of Mr and Mrs. Smith “Always in our Hearts” (Please note: The words must fit in the engravable surface)
Loading
KGH Foundation Volunteer Form
Loading