The project seeks to prevent blindness due to diabetic retinopathy among people with diabetes in Uzbekistan.
Expected impact
1 ophthalmologist trained at the Moscow Centre for Ophthalmology for 2 months
50 ophthalmologists from 14 provinces trained
Establishment of eye care facilities in 14 provinces
Examination of 2,080 people with diabetes in each of the 14 eye care facilities
Setting-up of a "Diagnostics and Treatment Centre for Diabetic Retinopathy" for referral
Development and distribution of booklets, a methodological manual, medical cards, inventory cards and visual aids
A website and a video clip for prevention of diabetic retinopathy developed
Results at project completion
1 ophthalmologist has been trained in Moscow for 2 months.
50 health care professionals incl. ophthalmologists, general practitioners and endocrinologists have attended a 2-day seminar.
240 general practitioners of the Bukhara and Ferghana regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan have updated their knowledge on diabetes and complications at a 1-day seminar and received materials on diabetic retinopathy.
14 diabetes eye care facilities have been established at endocrinology dispensaries in 14 provinces throughout Uzbekistan. Each facility is staffed with an ophthalmologist trained in the framework of the project.
A total of 14,974 diabetes patients have been examined at the 14 eye care facilities. Of these, 54% were found to have diabetic retinopathy at stages I, II and III. 326 patients had glaucoma and 116 complete vision loss. All patients were provided with relevant conventional and surgical treatment.
A specialised centre for Diagnostics and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy has been established in Tashkent. From September 2008 to July 2009, 3,060 DR patients from poor families throughout the country have been examined and have received qualified conservative treatment at the centre.
Booklets and educational material about diabetic retinopathy have been developed and printed in Uzbek and Russian and distributed to doctors and patients.
A website for diabetes health care personnel and patients has been developed at diabet2008.livejournal.com
A video clip "How to preserve vision in diabetes" was shot in Uzbek and Russian targeted at preventing diabetic retinopathy. The clip has been shown at 14 diabetes information centres and in regional mass media.
The WDF project on prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Uzbekistan was approved at the state level (the Uzbekistan Ministry of Health).
A conference “Prevention of blindness in people with diabetes mellitus and current approaches in diagnostics and treatment of diabetic retinopathy” was held to conclude the project. Results from the project were presented at this conference as well as published in international medical journals.
Project details
In Uzbekistan 80% of people with diabetes reside in rural areas where access to proper treatment of diabetes is lacking.
Modern surgery can restore vision for 90% of people with early stages of diabetic retinopathy, but this treatment is not available to the majority of people with diabetes in the country.
In addition, general practitioners lack the adequate knowledge of diabetes and its complications and qualified ophthalmologists and diabetic eye care facilities are virtually non-existent.
Approach
The project is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Health in Uzbekistan.
The project intends to decrease the number of people with partial or complete sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy by means of preventive measures, early diagnosis, qualified treatment as well as advanced training of general practitioners in rural areas and dissemination of knowledge of diabetes among people with diabetes.
1 ophthalmologist will undergo 2 months training at the Moscow Centre for Ophthalmology. The purpose is to have an eye specialist who is up-to-date on the modern techniques of surgical treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Upon return the ophthalmologist is expected to communicate the obtained knowledge to colleagues in Uzbekistan.
Subsequently a 2-day seminar with participation of 50 ophthalmologists from each of the 14 provinces in Uzbekistan and the city of Tashkent. The focus will be on modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. In addition, 240 general practitioners are trained in prevention of blindness at a 1 day seminar.
In each of the 14 provinces and in Tashkent diabetic eye care facilities will be established and equipped at the Regional Endocrinology Dispensaries. This capacity will link into the diabetes education centres which were established under WDF04-095.
These facilities will screen people with diabetes for diabetes related eye disease. 2,080 people with diabetes will be examined in each of the eye care facilities.
In Tashkent, a specialised national centre is set up to provide diagnostics and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This centre will be used for referral of patients.
The examination and treatment of people with diabetes will be free of charge.
To raise awareness on diabetes a 10 minute video and a website will be developed with information on diabetes and its complications including diabetic retinopathy. Booklets, a methodological manual on prevention of diabetic retinopathy, medical cards, inventory cards and visual aids for people with diabetes and general practitioners are developed, published and distributed in both Uzbek and Russian.
Finally, a conference on the topic "Prophylaxis of blindness in people with diabetes and current approaches in diagnostics and treatment of diabetic retinopathy" will be conducted with 80 ophthalmologist, endocrinologists and general practitioners from all over the country attending.
/Uzbekistan_thumb.jpg)
