In order to bring global standards of eye care to India, Bosch Ltd., one of the largest Indo German companies in the country has ventured into healthcare arena with the locally-developed eye-care solution the compact hand-held fundus camera.
The fundus camera is designed to respond to the shortage of eye-care specialists and the high demand for vision screening in the country.
The end-to-end solution consists of a hand-held Fundus Camera, the MediBilder software solution and an automated detection platform. The portable tool can be even taken to a patient’s door steps in the case of community screening. The cloud based solution can leverage India’s mobile penetration to its fullest. Any mobile device will enable the ophthalmologist to view the report on his phone which will make the process much faster.
The latest Glaucoma Detection Algorithm from Bosch is meant to aid Glaucoma specialist in nerve head analysis, particularly cup-disc parameters. Offering early detection and imaging without dilation, Bosch's eye screening and detection system meets the demand for comprehensive eye examination at all levels of care delivery
It is estimated that nearly one fifth of the population affected with Glaucoma is blind in one or both eyes and more than 90 per cent being unaware of their disease puts the onus on a plausible way to screen for glaucoma. In India alone, Glaucoma affects 12 million people, and the country is projected to become the world capital of glaucoma by 2020.
The 7th World Glaucoma Week is being observed between March 8 and 14, 2015 to create an awareness among public about the prevention and control of Glaucoma while also emphasizing the need for more initiatives in this area.
Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve for vision (optic nerve) caused by increased pressure in the eye. Popularly known as ‘the sneak thief of sight’. The sight loss caused by glaucoma is progressive and, unlike cataract, is irreversible. Fortunately, early detection and management can help prevent blindness.
According to a recent statistics from Glaucoma society of India, 12 million people are affected by Glaucoma accounting for 12.8 per cent of the countries blindness, the second largest single cause of blindness in India (after Cataract). Even in urban India 3 – 4 per cent of the population are suffering from Glaucoma. Nearly one fifth of the population affected with Glaucoma is blind in one or both eyes and more than 90 per cent being unaware of their disease.
The shortage of eye-professionals and availability of adequate devices makes it difficult to perform fundus examination in camp environments. Most camps end up being cataract detection venues and vision correction using spectacles. According to Glaucoma Society of India, timely detection is critical to reduce the burden of Glaucoma especially with greater life expectancy and expanding aging population.
Unless comprehensive eye examination along with fundus examination is incorporated at all levels of care delivery including primary care centres and camps, millions will continue to suffer this disease and associated co-morbidity.