The Allergan, Sightsavers and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) on Monday announced launch of its unique joint initiative, ‘Keep Sight India,’ a community based glaucoma screening progamme to prevent glaucoma-related vision loss in Ganjam district. The pilot project kicked off in October last in partnership with Sightsavers local partner, Sankara Eye Hospital.
The progamme provides training for healthcare professionals to screen at-risk populations, ensure early and accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment and long-term care in an effort to make a positive impact on people with glaucoma at all levels of comprehensive eye care.
The first outreach camp was organised on December 3 for the World Disability Day and subsequently four outreach camps were conducted under the pilot project. The outreach camps included services like vision testing, refraction, IOP measurement, fundus photography, spectacle dispensing, cataract identification, referral services and counselling services. To date, 8,276 people have been screened for glaucoma in these four outreach camps, from which 749 glaucoma suspects were identified and referred to the base hospital.
Sightsavers India CEO RN Mohanty said, “We are excited to be partnering with Allergan, an organisation with a long legacy in eye care. Sightsavers too like Allergan is committed in finding and providing effective solutions for patients suffering with glaucoma, which is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness.
Honorary chairman, Sightsavers India Board and former Chief Election Commissioner, India, Dr SY Quraishi said, “Nearly, 75 per cent of sight loss can be cured or prevented; so it’s an area where initiatives like this can have a strong impact where it is needed the most.”
“India will play a crucial role in meeting WHO’s targets for eye health”, said Director of Development and Communications, IAPB, Joanna Conlon, adding, “The country is already at the forefront of delivering people-centred solutions for eye care.”
“Allergan is honoured to partner with Sightsavers and IAPB on ‘Keep Sight’; their wealth of knowledge and expertise, combined with our passion for science and solutions will have a real impact on our shared goal of reducing the high burden of irreversible blindness in the country,” said Associate Director, Eyecare, Allergan India, Gopinath Kesavan.