Amelia Geary on behalf of Orbis International
Aim
To develop an artificial intelligence-supported, patient-centric diabetic retinopathy screening and referral system in Guyana
The project
Guyana is among the poorest countries in South America, with a high prevalence of diabetes (11.2%) and a small population spread over a large area. Diabetes patients form the majority of visits to the eye department. Screening for diabetic eye disease (DED) is currently not integrated into care for those living with diabetes, leading to late detection of DED and unnecessary blindness. This project will improve access to DED screening with integrated AI diagnostic features, providing services to 422,860 people.
During the course of this project, an integrated, patient-centric DED screening and referral model will be developed, a workflow for AI diagnosis and grading of fundus images created, and demand for eye screening and early treatment increased using public awareness campaigns. This will enhance local efficiency and capacity to diagnose and treat DED.
The screening services are integrated in permanent local structures belonging to the public health system, and local staff will be trained to perform diabetic retinopathy screening services following completion of the project. In addition, the local project lead will remain the focal diabetic retinopathy doctor in the country, thus ensuring the sustainability of the screening services.
Orbis Volunteer Faculty member Dr. Malik Kahook instructs ophthalmologists the glaucoma center at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Post-surgery talk between Orbis Volunteer Faculty Member Dr. Malik Kahook and Guyanese Ophthalmologist Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim listens to post-surgical chalk-talk from Dr. Malik Kahook aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim and Orbis Volunteer Faculty member Dr. Malik Kahook operate aboard the Flying Eye Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, of Guyana, aboard Flying Eye Hospital during a regional training in Barbados, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, a Guyanese Consultant Ophthalmologist, participates in Orbis's Flying Eye Hospital training in Barbados, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim and Orbis Volunteer Faculty member Dr. Malik Kahook operate aboard the Flying Eye Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Volunteer Faculty Dr. Malik Kahook, and Dr. Dawn Grosvenor, outside Flying Eye Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim and Volunteer Faculty Dr. Malik Kahook operate on glaucoma patient aboard Flying Eye Hospital, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, of Guyana, examines glaucoma patient's eyes at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, Photography: Geoff Bugbee, 2018.