World Diabetic Foundation, Denmark has funded Rs 3.22 crore to the Sankara Nethrayalaya for implementing a tele-ophthalmology network project in Karnataka.

The project for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and other diseases causing blindness has been launched in Bangalore, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajanagar and Tumkur districts with the cooperation of the World Diabetic Foundation. The Indian Space Research Organisation will provide the connectivity.

The main objective of the project is to screen the entire population of the identified areas for diabetes and all other vision related problems. Mobile units manned by optometrists and equipped with the latest technology for screening and satellite communication will be used to access remote rural areas to conduct screening camps. The project is for a period of five years.

According to Dr. S S Badrinath, chairman, Sankara Netrayalaya, the programme would facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment with tertiary care in the form of photo coagulation or vitreous surgery. “Patients having advanced diabetic retinopathy will also be provided with low visual aids and will be rehabilitated properly,” stated Dr. Rajiv Raman, diabetic retinopathy project in charge of Sankara Netralaya.

Sources said the data and image of the people screened in the mobile unit would be transferred to the hospitals in Chennai and Bangalore where vitro-retinal surgeons would go through them and expert advise would be given. Detailed clinical evaluation and ancillary investigations like ultrasound will be provided free of cost to people with a monthly income of less than Rs 2,000. However, all other patients can use the facilities at a concessional rate. According to hospital authorities, over 30,000 persons have benefited from a similar project in Tamil Nadu.