It combines years of experience from AbbVie, the IAPB and Sightsavers and addresses the challenges of glaucoma, a condition that can slowly and painlessly cause permanent vision loss. It is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness.
Many people become blind from glaucoma before they even know they have it. By the time their sight has started to deteriorate, their optic nerve may already be so damaged that nothing can be done. We want to make sure more people can be screened and provided with the vital treatment in time.
Keep Sight launched in India in October 2019 in partnership with Sankara Eye Hospital, and the first outreach camp took place in December 2019 for World Disability Day. In February 2020, the official launch event helped to awareness about the initiative and the importance of eye testing.
In countries where resources, training or health infrastructures are lacking, healthcare professionals often struggle to help those most at risk. Keep Sight started in two countries where glaucoma treatment is most needed:
Over time, our aim is to scale up the pilot projects so that we can replicate this work across other areas and countries.
The project aims to help both countries protect the sight of as many people as possible by raising awareness, carrying out eye screenings, training health workers and providing treatment. Although glaucoma is incurable, it can be controlled with medication or surgery, and this is vital to help avoid unnecessary suffering.
Since October 2019, the project has already screened more than 20,000 people for the condition.
It’s been another amazing year where we’ve been able to protect sight, fight disease and empower people with disabilities. Here, we share our highlights, all made possible by you.
Dr Moira Chinthambi received a Sightsavers scholarship to train as an ophthalmologist and now works on our inclusive eye health programme in Malawi.
Alinafe Zaina is studying clinical ophthalmology in Malawi with the help of a scholarship provided by Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health programme.