Advancing Surgeon Education and Expanding Access to Cornea-Preserving Techniques Using KeraNatural in South Africa
In April 2026, Vision Share joined leading ophthalmologists from around the world at the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa Congress 2026, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. In partnership with National Medical Supplies, Vision Share hosted a hands-on CAIRS wet lab led by Tony Dang, highlighting the use of KeraNatural® in keratoconus treatment.
From Observation to Application: The Power of Hands-On Learning
More than 30 surgeons participated in the KeraNatural® wet lab, with attendance exceeding expectations, which shows a growing demand for practical, skill-based training in emerging corneal techniques. Rather than a passive learning environment, the session focused on active surgical application. Surgeons worked directly with tissue, gaining experience in:
- Handling KeraNatural® segments
- Understanding proper tissue preparation
- Performing guided, hands-on placement
This type of immersive training plays a critical role in bridging the gap between awareness and adoption. The KeraNatural® tissue used during the wet lab was provided by VisionGift, enabling surgeons to train with high-quality donor tissue that reflects real clinical conditions.
“There’s a significant difference between understanding a technique conceptually and actually performing it. The hands-on environment allows surgeons to build confidence with the tissue and the placement process in a way that simply isn’t possible through lecture alone”, said Tony Dang, Director of Client Services at Vision Share.
An Opportunity to Preserve Corneal Tissue
For many surgeons, the opportunity to explore KeraNatural® represents more than a new technique; it reflects a broader shift in how keratoconus can be managed. By utilizing sterile corneal tissue segments, KeraNatural® offers an approach that allows surgeons, in appropriate cases, to preserve the patient’s native cornea rather than move directly to full transplantation.
This has meaningful implications:
- Expanding the range of treatment options
- Supporting more conservative surgical approaches
- Providing an additional way to steward the gift of donor tissue
As global demand for corneal tissue continues to outpace supply in many regions, solutions that extend the use of donor tissue while maintaining clinical effectiveness are increasingly important.
“KeraNatural® provides surgeons with another option in how they approach keratoconus, particularly in cases where preserving the patient’s native cornea is possible. That flexibility can make a meaningful difference in patient care,” said Tony Dang, Director of Client Services at Vision Share.
Local Partnership, Lasting Impact
The success of the wet lab was driven not only by the content but by strong local collaboration. National Medical Supplies played a key role in hosting the booth and engaging surgeons across the region, helping ensure both strong attendance and meaningful interaction. Their on-the-ground expertise and relationships were instrumental in translating global innovation into local impact.
“We were encouraged by the strong turnout and level of engagement from surgeons throughout the wet lab. There is clear interest in practical, hands-on training opportunities like this, especially when it comes to expanding treatment options for patients with keratoconus,” said Stephanie E. Abraham, Manager, National Medical Supplies.
Advancing a Global Mission Through Education
At its core, this work reflects Vision Share’s broader mission: to advance global sight restoration by increasing access, education, and collaboration across the ophthalmic community.
Training initiatives like this are not isolated events; they are part of a greater effort to:
- Equip surgeons with practical, adoptable techniques
- Expand access to innovative corneal treatment options
- Strengthen surgeon confidence through hands-on training
By meeting surgeons where they are and providing hands-on experience, Vision Share helps accelerate the adoption of approaches that can ultimately improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“Increasing access to education is central to our mission of supporting global sight restoration. By equipping surgeons with practical, hands-on experience, we’re not just sharing a technique, we’re helping extend the reach of sight-restoring care to more patients worldwide,” said Phil Fasone, Executive Director of Vision Share.
Looking Ahead
The level of engagement at the KeraNatural® wet lab at OSSA 2026 reinforces a clear takeaway: surgeons are actively seeking opportunities to learn, adapt, and expand their approach to patient care. As interest in cornea-preserving techniques continues to grow, Vision Share remains committed to supporting that momentum through education, partnership, and a shared vision of global sight restoration.
Bring KeraNatural to Your Practice
Interested in expanding your approach to keratoconus treatment or participating in a future hands-on wet lab? Vision Share collaborates with surgeons and partners worldwide to provide access to KeraNatural and hands-on training opportunities, designed to support the adoption of real clinical applications.
Request more information or connect with our team to learn how KeraNatural® can be integrated into your practice. For additional details on the technique and clinical application, you can also explore KeraNatural® here – https://visionshare.org/KeraNatural-cairs-procedure/
About Vision Share
Vision Share is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proudly represents the world’s largest network of eye banks. Each member eye bank is Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) certified and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Guided by a shared vision, Vision Share pools resources to provide surgeons with dependable, high-quality ocular tissue tailored to their specific needs.
