Community / Social Ophthalmology – II

To compare the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) between eyes with and without posterior capsule plaque after single-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation 5 years postoperatively.

A modern rapid survey method is being used to generate valid estimates of visual impairment and blindness in India.

Visual impairment is a worldwide problem that has a significant socioeconomic impact. There are several disorders that cause substantial impairment of vision but are relatively asymptomatic in very small and even in older children and may thus be missed by the parents. Screening for these disorders which are ‘silent’ in manifestation but for which timely intervention is effective should be specifically identified by Screening Programs.

‘Google search’ provides plenty of information including medical topics, although many sites provide incomplete,misleading & scientifically inaccurate medical data.

India currently has a diabetic load of 69.5 million 1and is soon headed to be the diabetic capital of the world. Various studies have shown the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy 9.23%-35.12% 2 with awareness noted to vary at around 40% .3

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and in India.It has been estimated that nearly 12 million Indians currently have glaucoma and this figure will increase to more than 16 million by the year 2020.1

Public health in India is a strange paradox. Because 70% of health resources are located in urban area where 30% population lives whereas less than 30% health resources are located in rural area where 70% of the population lives(Review of health care in India).

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is rated as the most important cause of irreversible blindness, posing a serious public health problemworldwide. It is more relevant in India, as its incidence is growing at such an alarming rate that from 17th position 20 years ago, it has now placed 6th position in the causation of ocular morbidity and blindness. WHO has included DR as one of the priority in India in its Vision 2020 Programme.

Our Community Diabetic Eye Screening programme, a part of National Diabetic Eye Screening programme, is a well-established screening programme with 39692 diabetic patients enrolled for Annual Routine Digital Screening.

To study the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to assess the outcome of laser photocoagulation.