Cambodia’s 1st pediatric eye surgeon trains in Indianapolis with Riley doctor

Cambodia’s first pediatric eye surgeon will travel back to his country Saturday after training at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis for two months.

Dr. Phara Khauv has been training with Dr. Dan Neely at the IU School of Medicine on the IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus through a fellowship with ORBIS International. The ORBIS “Flying Eye Hospital” travels to developing countries to provide eye-care training and prevent blindness that could be avoided, according to the organization’s Web site.

Neely, who is also a pediatric ophthalmologist at Riley Hospital for Children, said Khauv has been honing his skills in the U.S., including using different procedures and equipment as well as different ways to manage patients.

“This was more to bring his skills and training to an entirely new level,” Neely said.
Neely said he became involved with ORBIS through his mentor at Riley Hospital, ORBIS Ophthalmologist in Chief Gene Helveston.

Khauv and Neely met while the two doctors were working in Hanoi, Vietnam. After that, the two began a project through ORBIS that involves collaborating on patient consultations over the Internet, Neely said. Last fall, Neely visited Khauv in Cambodia, where they operated on many of the patients they had consulted online. Khauv was then able to come to the U.S. through a scholarship sponsored by Fed Ex, which maintains the “Flying Eye Hospital” plane.

Many doctors in developing countries don’t have many opportunities to collaborate with other doctors, Neely said. In Cambodia in the late 1970s, he added, members of the ruling political party, the Khmer Rouge, killed anyone who was or appeared to be educated – so Khauv’s training is particularly significant.

Khauv said he misses his family, but he’s enjoyed his experience in Indianapolis.

“I got a good feeling from American people,” Khauv said. “They are very friendly and very useful, especially my mentor, Dr. Neely.”