On the ever-evolving track of healthcare, preserving a patient’s sight is often a race against time. For those with fresh retinal detachment (RD), the first 72 hours are a golden window for treatment! Since 2021, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center’s Emergency Department has pioneered the "Fresh Retinal Detachment Green Channel," operating under the creed "No Holidays, No Delays" to reignite hope for patients. To date, the channel has saved the vision of over 3,800 patients, weaving warmth into every chapter of their journey toward light.
(1) 24/7 Vigilance: The "Lightning Express" for Sight
Once detached, retinal photoreceptor cells rapidly die—delayed care means permanent blindness. Hence, the Ophthalmic Emergencies Department of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center established the "Fresh Retinal Detachment Green Channel":
- One-Click Activation: Upon emergency admission, medical teams, diagnostic equipment, and operating rooms sync instantly, fast-tracking patients to critical care.
- Precision Diagnostics: Cutting-edge tools like OCT and fundus photography enable priority assessments and rapid, accurate evaluations.
- Unstoppable, Day or Night: From New Year’s Eve to typhoon days and 3 a.m. emergencies—the Green Channel never closes.
On Lunar New Year’s Eve, Associate Professor Lou Bingsheng performed RD surgery via the Green Channel until 11 p.m.
Amidst a typhoon, Associate Chief Physician Zhong Liuxueying returned to the hospital to treat Green Channel patients.
Data show that nearly 90% of patients treated through this channel receive surgery within 48 hours, with a single-surgery success rate exceeding 95%.
(2) 3,800 Stories of Light Restored
In this green channel for emergency treatment, behind each statistic lies a vivid life:
- A 28-year-old programmer with severe myopia suffered a sudden retinal detachment (RD); he regained vision after surgery and returned to his job.
- A 70-year-old Senior experienced a sudden RD at dawn, and timely surgery saved her remaining sight.
- A 17-year-old teenager developed RD during sports, and emergency surgery helped him avoid lifelong disability...
"Doctor, will I see my child’s smile again?"—this is the most frequent question heard in the green channel. Every time, the team’s unwavering efforts answer: "Yes. We fight to keep your light alive."
On Jan 16, 2023, Prof. Li Tao treated the 2,000th patient since the channel’s launch.
On Nov 8, 2024, the 3,000th patient presented a commendatory banner to the team of Dr. Lou Bingsheng and Liu Rongjiao.
The Fresh Retinal Detachment Green Channel at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center’s Emergency Department will continue to shield every light-craving eye with expertise and guide them with compassion. We know vision may vanish in an instant—but to restore it, we will spare no effort.
A patient’s commendatory banner received by the department
Green Channel Location:
2nd Floor, Building 2, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (Ouzhuang Premises)
54 South Xianlie Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, China
