In their ongoing joint effort, Sightsavers India, together with AbbVie India, organized the fourth state-level meeting focused on the ‘Prevention of Visual Impairment Caused by Glaucoma.’
Glaucoma is a major contributor to blindness globally, requiring early diagnosis and swift intervention to avert irreversible sight loss. During the event, specialists acknowledged the significance of the initiative in boosting awareness and uniting expertise to address the challenges glaucoma presents, aiming to avert avoidable blindness.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, emphasized, “The well-being of our citizens, including maintaining clear vision, is of utmost importance. The government stands firm in its support for initiatives emphasizing early glaucoma detection and prevention to protect eye health. The commitment of Sightsavers India and AbbVie India to tackling preventable blindness and hosting this event is greatly valued. Our goal, through collaborative efforts in eye care, is to foster a healthier, more productive society.”
Dr. Shamsundar, Joint Director of Ophthalmology, Government of Karnataka, remarked, “Such events are vital in assembling expertise and resources to tackle preventable blindness effectively. The collective initiatives by the Government, private industry leaders such as AbbVie India, and organizations like Sightsavers India showcase the impact of partnerships.”
Dr. Rahul Rathod, Medical Director at AbbVie India, highlighted, “In healthcare, early detection and quality eye care access are crucial. Glaucoma presents significant challenges needing increased awareness and swift action. These meetings aim to fill knowledge gaps and enhance access to vital care. Providing communities with current information and tools advances the mission to prevent vision loss from glaucoma.”
R.N. Mohanty, Sightsavers India’s CEO, noted, “With the campaign now entering its fourth region, strides in glaucoma awareness continue. Our alliance with AbbVie India propels the critical mission to avert glaucoma-induced vision impairment and blindness.”
Post-consultation, attendees were invited to visit kiosks offering complimentary eye screenings for those aged 40 and above, stressing early glaucoma detection’s importance. This initiative was aimed at giving easy access to eye health services and spreading awareness about glaucoma’s risks, particularly for those above 40. The screenings acted as a valuable resource for timely interventions, backing the event’s drive to prevent sight loss through proactive measures.