Eye health is a major public heath challenge in Sri Lanka, particularly in rural areas – primarily due to conditions of cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.
Eye health has been a focus area in Sri Lanka’s health care system for a long time, documented in the Vision 2020 Sri Lanka Programme. As stated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, “good vision unlocks human potential”.
Early detection and treatment of eye conditions reduces vision impairment and blindness leads to opportunities for education and employment, improves quality of life and reduces poverty.
Improving Eye Health in Sri Lanka aims to address this challenge by providing equipment and training to improve the diagnosis and treatment of complex eye diseases. In collaboration with Sri Lankan partners, Sight For All, an Australian organisation, is supporting ophthalmologists at eye units in provincial and district hospitals by:
This initiative is supported by the Australian High Commission to Sri Lanka and Maldives through a Knowledge and Linkages for an Inclusive Economy (KLIE) grant.
The KLIE grant mechanism facilitates partnerships and relationships between Sri Lankan and Australian government agencies, research institutions, civil society and professional networks.
The project supports the Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response, by supporting health systems and preparedness.
Sight For All has been working in Sri Lanka to improve eye health since 2008, when they conducted a childhood blindness study. The study found that a third of all blindness was avoidable, and was primarily due to a lack of paediatric ophthalmology facilities and advocacy in the country.
Improving Eye Health in Sri Lanka is training eye health workers in Sri Lanka’s Regional Eye Units (REUs). The project supports the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
The project is also supporting the procurement and delivery of equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of these complex eye diseases. Ophthalmologists are being trained in the use of the equipment and participate in workshops to develop their skills. In addition, ophthalmic nurses, eye health workers and refractionists at the participating REUs will attend training and workshops to provide sight-saving care.
The project’s patient eye health awareness and education campaign involves the dissemination of information about glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy via brochures and posters distributed to participating hospitals.
Sight For All is working closely with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, with the purpose of forming strong partnerships on matters such as the sharing of data and health system resourcing.
Since the launch of KLIE in 2018, this grant mechanism has supported nine partnerships with a total of more than A$2.5 million.