A unique initiative which joins an innovative eyecare biopharma leader with international charities to train healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients with glaucoma.
Allergan, Sightsavers and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) have announced the launch of its unique joint initiative – ‘Keep Sight India’ – a community based glaucoma screening progamme to prevent glaucoma-related vision loss in Ganjam District, Odisha. The pilot kicked off in October 2019 in partnership with Sightsavers local partner, Sankara Eye Hospital.
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide and with adequate screening and diagnosis, vision loss can be prevented.
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.
Sightsavers India CEO, RN Mohanty said: “We are excited to be partnering with Allergan, an organisation with a long legacy in eyecare. 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. The partnership between Sightsavers and Allergan is an example of the vital associations that are needed to fight avoidable blindness and deliver better services at the community level.”
“India will play a crucial role in meeting WHO’s targets for eye health”, said Joanna Conlon, Director of Development and Communications, IAPB.
“The country is already at the forefront of delivering people- centered solutions for eye care. Keep Sight will work with Indian partners to support and extend India’s successes around eye health and glaucoma. IAPB is committed to universal eye health. Sightsavers has decades of experience in delivering eye health in the region. Together with Allergan, they are keen to make a real difference for people with Glaucoma. Together, we will work to support India’s eye care strategies”.
The next quarter of the project will focus primarily on the following activities like training of Ophthalmologists on glaucoma care/management through International Council of Ophthalmology, strengthening interventions for follow-up compliance of patients diagnosed with glaucoma or treated under the programme, strengthening outreach interventions in terms of reducing per patient time in camps, continuous learning, training and skilling of the project team, and development and dissemination of project communication materials in local language.