New physician leads new vision for Lions Eye Clinic

The Health Services Authority (HSA) has a new vision for the Lions Eye Clinic starting with the recruitment of Consultant Ophthalmologist, Ermanno Scerrati, who plans to introduce more advanced procedures to the eye clinic’s scope of services in upcoming months.

Dr. Scerrati specialises in the treatment of the cornea and issues related to glaucoma, bringing world class experience and high-level expertise in the performance of Vitro Retinal Surgery, Cornea Transplant and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), a procedure that only he has performed in the Cayman Islands.

A native of Italy, Dr. Scerrati graduated with a first-class degree in medicine from “La Sapienza” the University of Rome, where he also underwent specialty training in ophthalmology. Afterwards he trained in eye surgery at several prestigious Italian specialist eye centres developing into a leader in his chosen fields of cataract, refractive and glaucoma surgery.

He worked as head of the glaucoma unit at Wye Valley Trust NHS Hospital in Hereford (UK) before moving to the Cayman Islands to assume his current position. He has over eight years’ experience performing corneal surgery and over six years’ experience performing glaucoma surgery. He has worked in Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kuwait and Azerbaijan where he regularly attended an eye clinic, helping to develop sustainable eye service in a challenging environment.

Dr. Scerrati recently performed a cutting-edge procedure known as the iStent implant on four glaucoma patients, a first for the Cayman Islands. “This MIGS procedure is a relatively new one with very good outcomes worldwide and I have performed over 200 cases,” he explained. “It involves the implantation of the world’s smallest medical device known as the iStent, to reduce the pressure caused by the buildup of fluid in the eyes of patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma. Too much fluid raises pressure, which can cause the gradual loss of vision and while glaucoma moves slowly, its damage is irreparable. Using such a small device as the iStent, we can deliver great outcomes that will positively impact our patients’ quality of life.”

“Being the first in the Midlands (UK) to perform the iStent implant, Dr. Scerrati brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit our patients with glaucoma at the HSA,” the Authority’s Medical Director Dr. Delroy Jefferson noted. “We are excited that he has joined our team of eye experts and taken the lead in plans to reequip the clinic for more advanced procedures and surgeries for traumatic injuries. With our focus on patient care and excellence, Dr. Scerrati will complement our mission perfectly and allow us to continue to offer top quality eye care and eye surgery to patients.”