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Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major causes of preventable blindness in developing countries. However, due to lack of equipment and appropriate training, treatment for retinopathy is not available in all districts in Karnataka.
With more than 32 million people affected by diabetes, India is having the world's largest diabetic population and with this, also a large burden of diabetes-related complications such as diabetic retinopathy.
In Karnataka, long travel distances tend to reduce the use of retinopathy detection and treatment facilities. Without appropriate screening, treatment and care, the consequences of diabetic retinopathy are likely to be severe, and one target for the project is therefore to reduce the travel distance from an average of 200 km to an average of 50 km.
Objective
The project aims to create a programme to improve treatment for diabetic retinopathy in remote areas.
Approach
Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology, Sri Keshava Trust (a vision health centered NGO) and Prabha Eye Clinic and Research Center have joined forces to improve treatment and care for diabetic retinopathy in remote areas in Karnataka.
The project is targetted at two groups:
- Local ophthalmologists in 8 districts of Karnataka, which are currently not delivering retinopathy treatment.
- Local health providers in the target districts.
The ophthalmologists will be provided with the necessary training and equipment to diagnose and treat people locally. Furthermore, six ophthalmologists will receive advanced training - enabling them to perform surgical management of diabetic retinopathy.
By conducting training programmes for health providers, the project seeks to improve the rate of early detection as well as patient referrals to further treatment.
To avoid the costs and logistical hurdles of duplicating the sets of equipment required in many remote areas, a mobile van with diagnostic and therapeutic equipment will be created. The mobile unit will allow local ophthalmologists and specialists to get access to diagnostic and therapeutical equipment. In addition to this, installed video conferencing will allow for consultations with specialists at Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology.
Treatment will be provided for free to all patients with an income of less than USD 30 per month.
Expected Impact
- Appr. 280,000 people with diabetes are expected to benefit from the retinopathy treatment programme
- 70 ophthalmologists will be trained and get access to speciality equipment
- 100 local general practitioners/GPs will receive training in basic, intermediate and advanced diabetes management
- 96 local health workers will receive training in detection, motivation and counselling of people with diabetes
- A mobile unit will be created and is expected at the end of the project to have 70 regular halts every month in the target districts
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