9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EDT (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM IST, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM GMT)
Presenter
Dr G V S Murthy, MD, MSc, MBBS Director Indian Institute of Public Health (Public Health Foundation of India), Hyderabad & Reader in Public Health Disability at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London.
Description
Estimates suggest that there are 65 million persons living with diabetes in India and 6 million are at risk of going blind due to retinopathy. Recent studies highlight that 45% persons with diabetes are already blind when they present to an eye care facility. Persons with diabetes rate blindness as a complication of serious concern to them but they fail to present early in the diabetic state. Studies also indicate that persons with diabetes regularly consult their treating physicians but the physician clinics generally do not examine the visual status of the persons with diabetes. The only way early detection of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy can be promoted is by regular eye examination of all persons with diabetes at the diabetic/ physician clinic rather than wait for the person with diabetes to consult the eye clinic. The Public Health Foundation of India is pioneering an integrated district model of comprehensive diabetic care in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The initiative is funded by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and is being implemented with active collaboration and participation of the Government of India and the respective State governments. A pilot is proposed to be undertaken in 8 districts spread across 8 States in the country over the next 4 years.
Learning Objectives
Understand the magnitude of diabetic retinopathy in India Review the existing evidence on practices followed for early detection and management of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. Appreciate need for alternative methods for early detection of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Sensitized on probable approaches that could be adopted for a comprehensive program to prevent visual loss due to diabetes at the district level.
Slides
Webinar – Preventing blindness due to diabetic retinopathy in India Need for a paradigm shift 4-29-15, 9.00 AM from ISDS on Vimeo.