Diabetes eye care

Area Partner Project responsible Duration Project budget WDF contribution Project number

Tamil Nadu, India Aravind Eye Hospitals Dr. Namperumalsamy April 2003 - March 2006 USD 714,628 USD 450,000 WDF02-039

Objective

The project aims to reduce blindness resulting from diabetes.

Expected Impact

• An estimated 2750 diabetes patients will receive laser treatment to avoid blindness
• Access to treatment for people in rural areas will be improved through use of mobile screening units
• 200 doctors and medical specialists will be trained in diabetes and related eye complications

Results at completion

• 75 “Diabetic screening and Diabetic retinopathy screening” camps have been held. 1 year before project completion, the end target of 36 camps over a 3 year period has thus been accomplished and exceeded
• In addition diabetes screening has been included in Aravind's regular camps. 228 such camps have been held, bringing the total screened population for diabetes to 63,837 of which 14,428 have been identified as diabetic. 1,598 cases of diabetic retinopathy have been found
• 1,018 people have undergone laser photocoagulation treatment at the tertiary centre of the Aravind Eye Hospital
• A mobile unit is now operational bringing care to remote areas of Tamil Nadu. Professional advice is provided via satellite connectivity to the reading and grading centre in Madurai. To date the unit has conducted 20 outreach camps

Additional information on the project can be found here.