Dr Gajendra Chawla on behalf of Vision Academy – The Socio Medical Society, Samiti

 

Aim

To reduce the incidence of diabetic-related blindness among the underprivileged population in Bhopal and surrounding areas of Central India

 

The project

Although early diagnosis and prompt treatment has been shown to prevent blindness associated with diabetic retinopathy, less than half of the diabetic population in Madhya Pradesh attend for routine annual eye examinations. This is due to inadequate awareness and knowledge of diabetic retinopathy among the population, thus individuals do not tend to seek preventive actions, diagnosis, or treatment.

Screening for diabetic retinopathy is cost effective, less costly than rehabilitation after vision loss. This project therefore aims to organize diabetic retinopathy screening camps at various locations via a fully equipped mobile unit. Furthermore, the initiative will enhance awareness of diabetic retinopathy among the population and will provide optometric training on diabetic retinopathy detection and referral to primary care physicians, general practitioners and paramedical staff.