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: http://diabet2008.uz.
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.
