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PRESS RELEASE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA
Diana Manukyan, AUA PR Coordinator
40 Baghramyan Ave.
Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.aua.am/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/American-University-of-Armenia/159219260801636
PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN GEGHARKUNIK MARZ, ARMENIA
Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology (Meghrigian
Institute) of the College of Health Sciences at the American
University of Armenia is currently implementing a project aimed at
reducing the incidence of blindness and visual impairment due to
diabetic retinopathy in Gegharkunik marz of Armenia.
Diabetic retinopathy is a well-recognized complication of diabetes
mellitus. Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk for
diabetic retinopathy, while the treatment of retinopathy can reduce
the risk for visual loss by more than 90%. Screening programs at early
stages when treatment can prevent visual loss, as well as health
education programs for persons with diabetes, help to prevent
blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.
The first stage of the project included training primary health care
providers on the importance of early detection of diabetic retinopathy
and the need for regular ophthalmic examination of diabetic patients.
Fourteen primary health care physicians and 29 nurses were trained by
Meghrigian Institute at the Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan in
September/October 2011.
Meghrigian Institute is now in the second stage of the project
implementation, which focuses on free ophthalmic examinations of
diabetes patients in regional centers and villages of Gegharkunik marz
for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and assessment of possible
eye complications due to diabetes. All diagnosed patients receive free
ophthalmic consultation about the diagnosis and further treatment. In
addition to free screening, diabetes patients receive educational
brochures developed by Meghrigian Institute to increase patients'
awareness about diabetes management and prevention of diabetic
retinopathy. To date, the Meghrigian Institute has covered 268
diabetes patients from Sevan, Gavar, and Chambarak, and continues its
work in other towns and villages of Gegharkunik marz.
Meghrigian Institute has been involved in prevention of avoidable
blindness since 1999 through scientific research, providing preventive
screening services to vulnerable populations, strengthening ophthalmic
services in regions of Armenia and trainings for health professionals
and the general public. The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a
private, nonsectarian, independent university located in Yerevan,
Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is affiliated with the University of
California. Through teaching, research, and public service, AUA serves
Armenia and the region by supplying high-quality education in seven
different major fields, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting
democratic values.
The American University of Armenia is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100,
Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.
###
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA
Diana Manukyan, AUA PR Coordinator
40 Baghramyan Ave.
Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.aua.am/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/American-University-of-Armenia/159219260801636
PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN GEGHARKUNIK MARZ, ARMENIA
Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology (Meghrigian
Institute) of the College of Health Sciences at the American
University of Armenia is currently implementing a project aimed at
reducing the incidence of blindness and visual impairment due to
diabetic retinopathy in Gegharkunik marz of Armenia.
Diabetic retinopathy is a well-recognized complication of diabetes
mellitus. Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk for
diabetic retinopathy, while the treatment of retinopathy can reduce
the risk for visual loss by more than 90%. Screening programs at early
stages when treatment can prevent visual loss, as well as health
education programs for persons with diabetes, help to prevent
blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.
The first stage of the project included training primary health care
providers on the importance of early detection of diabetic retinopathy
and the need for regular ophthalmic examination of diabetic patients.
Fourteen primary health care physicians and 29 nurses were trained by
Meghrigian Institute at the Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan in
September/October 2011.
Meghrigian Institute is now in the second stage of the project
implementation, which focuses on free ophthalmic examinations of
diabetes patients in regional centers and villages of Gegharkunik marz
for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and assessment of possible
eye complications due to diabetes. All diagnosed patients receive free
ophthalmic consultation about the diagnosis and further treatment. In
addition to free screening, diabetes patients receive educational
brochures developed by Meghrigian Institute to increase patients'
awareness about diabetes management and prevention of diabetic
retinopathy. To date, the Meghrigian Institute has covered 268
diabetes patients from Sevan, Gavar, and Chambarak, and continues its
work in other towns and villages of Gegharkunik marz.
Meghrigian Institute has been involved in prevention of avoidable
blindness since 1999 through scientific research, providing preventive
screening services to vulnerable populations, strengthening ophthalmic
services in regions of Armenia and trainings for health professionals
and the general public. The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a
private, nonsectarian, independent university located in Yerevan,
Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is affiliated with the University of
California. Through teaching, research, and public service, AUA serves
Armenia and the region by supplying high-quality education in seven
different major fields, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting
democratic values.
The American University of Armenia is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100,
Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.
###
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress