First Public OCT in Mongolia Transforms Eye Care and Early Disease Detection
Bringing World-Class Eye Imaging to Mongolia’s Public Health System
Laurel Surgical Foundation (LSF), in partnership with the Deseret Foundation, proudly delivered Mongolia’s first public Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system to the Ophthalmology Department at First Central Hospital in Ulaanbaatar. Until now, advanced retinal imaging was available only in expensive private clinics or overseas; placing it far beyond the reach of most Mongolians. This historic milestone means that, for the first time, patients across the country can receive state-of-the-art eye diagnostics within the public health system, without the financial or geographical barriers that once made such care impossible.
What is OCT and Why It Matters
OCT is a cutting-edge, non-invasive imaging technology that uses light waves to capture detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina, the delicate tissue lining the back of the eye. It allows ophthalmologists to see each layer of the retina in extraordinary detail, making it possible to detect early signs of blinding conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and glaucoma. In surgical care, OCT is equally essential for monitoring patients before and after retina or cataract surgery, ensuring that treatment is both precise and effective.
Transforming Care Through Public Access
By placing the OCT at the First Central Hospital, Mongolia’s largest public hospital, LSF and the Deseret Foundation have ensured that this life-changing technology is accessible to all patients, regardless of income or location. Public access to OCT means that rural and low-income patients, who previously had no realistic way to obtain this level of diagnostic care, can now be accurately diagnosed, monitored, and treated without delay. For ophthalmology residents in training, it is also a critical educational tool, enabling them to correlate clinical examination with high-resolution imaging and make better, more confident treatment decisions.
A Lasting Impact on Vision and Hope
This donation represents far more than the arrival of a new machine. It is the opening of a new chapter in Mongolia’s fight against preventable blindness. By combining advanced technology, professional training, and sustainable public access, LSF and the Deseret Foundation are giving thousands of Mongolians the chance to preserve their sight and quality of life. It is a promise that sight-saving care will no longer be a privilege for the few, but a right for all.