Visiting professors from Russia help promote WSU's global initiatives. Pictured from left are: Drs. Igor Zapuskalov, John Crissman, Olga Zapuskalova, Inna Glybina and James Puklin.

Three ophthalmologists from the Siberian Medical University in Tomsk, Russia, traveled to Detroit this spring to exchange ideas with Wayne State physicians and researchers at the Kresge Eye Institute (KEI).

The visit was part of an exchange program established four years ago by James Puklin, MD, professor of ophthalmology. Since then, nine faculty members have traveled from Tomsk, each spending two months at KEI. In turn, Dr. Puklin has visited the Siberian Medical University’s Department of Ophthalmology.

“The level of this relationship is an exchange of experience,” said Igor Zapuskalov, chairman of the 20-member ophthalmology department at the Siberian Medical University. The clinic where Dr. Zapuskalov works houses 100 beds.

Among the new ideas Dr. Zapuskalov and his colleagues presented during his stay was a technique for repairing retinal detachment using a unique metal alloy developed and used exclusively in Tomsk, a center of scientific research in Russia.

Nickelid-Titanium, the alloy, has shown great promise as a useful material in manufacturing implants for various body parts. Although it is commonly used in Tomsk in orthopaedic surgery and otolaryngology, the Russian ophthalmology department has begun testing it in eye surgeries.

So far, Dr. Zapuskalov has used the alloy in 53 patients. It seems to be more biologically compatible, thereby lessening the threat of the immune system rejecting implants, and also more flexible than other synthetic implants. The Nickelid-Titanium can be molded before surgery, but continues to transform itself once inside the body and exposed to higher temperatures.

Several researchers in Tomsk are testing the metal to treat numerous conditions ranging from infertility to diabetes, said Dr. Inna Glybina, another Russian physician who visited WSU.

This year also marks the first year a research paper resulted from the international exchange. After visiting KEI, the physicians went to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

“We have carried our involvement to the next level,” said Dr. Puklin. “This trip marks the first time they will be presenting their peer-reviewed scientific work at a major vision research meeting in the United States.” Dr. Puklin and a team of KEI colleagues are planning to visit Tomsk in the fall.