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EYE CARE PROJECT FOR DIABETES PATIENTS IMPLEMENTED IN GEGHARKUNIK PROVINCE
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-05-22-eye-care-project-for-diabetes-patients-implemented-in-gegharkunik-province-
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2012
A patient receives an eye exam.
Yerevan - 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 province 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 .
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-05-22-eye-care-project-for-diabetes-patients-implemented-in-gegharkunik-province-
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2012
A patient receives an eye exam.
Yerevan - 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 province 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 .