To prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy in rural areas by organising screening camps, enhancing awareness in the population and training of health care personnel.
Expected impact
By conducting 2-3 camps each week in 8 districts and the urban slums of Bhopal, a mobile van will conduct a total of more than 450 camps, covering a population of 2.5 million
125,000-150,000 people with diabetes will undergo detailed eye-examination and around 3,000 will receive treatment
Approximately 100 medical and paramedical staff trained in detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Results to date
3 different camps are conducted every week: Sunday camps on locations outside Bhopal; free out-patient treatment every Wednesday at the Vision Academy; and awareness camps on a weekly basis in the urban slum areas of Bhopal.
239,952 persons have been reached through 477 such awareness and screening camps. Of these, 126,105 have received eye screening and 22,855 found to have diabetic retinopathy (DR); 2,867 were treated with laser and 632 had eye surgery.
19 awareness seminars on diabetic retinopathy have been conducted for 84 medical practitioners. Newspaper publications ensured extended awareness to the general public.
94 doctors, 91 nurses and 159 paramedics (anganwadi workers) have been trained.
Project details
With the availability of better treatment options for diabetes, life expectancy of people with diabetes is gradually increasing and so is the prevalence of diabetes-related complications, including diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of preventable blindness in developing countries. Due to the lack of awareness in the general public, equipment for treatment and appropriate training of medical and paramedical personal, treatment of diabetic retinopathy is not available to all.
This project will create awareness among the general population – the diabetic population in particular - of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of patients with diabetic retinopathy and consequently prevent diabetes related blindness. It will also provide training to medical/paramedical personnel in remote areas.
Since medical facilities are mostly available in urban areas, the project aims at screening for and treating diabetic retinopathy in remote areas.
Approach
Vision Academy in collaboration with Vina Vadini Education Society and Prerana Sewa Society have joined forces to address diabetic eye care in the Bhopal area of Madhya Pradesh.
A well-equipped mobile unit will be visiting the rural/urban areas of 100 km radius of Bhopal, to cover a population of approx. 2.5 million.
2-3 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy screening camps will be conducted each week in 8 target districts, resulting in a total of 450 camps by project completion. The camps seek to raise awareness of diabetes and its risk factors, increase early diagnosis of diabetes as well as diabetes related eye diseases.
Before each of these camps, awareness drives will be organised in the target communities. These activities include door-to-door surveys, awareness through mass communication avenues such as print media, local TV and announcements via auto-rickshaws.
At the camps. the mobile team performs detailed eye examination of diabetic patients to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. The patients who require treatment are brought to the base hospital. Patients with a monthly income of less than USD 40 receive laser and/or surgical treatment for free.
The general practitioners and diabetologists working at the local district hospitals and in private practices will be approached to create awareness among the diabetic population.
Ophthalmologists working at government hospitals and in private practices will be trained to diagnose diabetic retinopathy.
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