Bhopal, 23rd September 2024 – The third state-level consultation in the ongoing collaborative campaign between Sightsavers India and AbbVie India was successfully held at Hotel Palaash Residency, focusing on strategies to prevent visual impairment due to glaucoma. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including ophthalmologists, senior optometrists, public health professionals, civil society representatives, social scientists, and journalists.

The objectives of the campaign are to raise awareness about glaucoma, its risk factors, and the importance of regular eye check-ups. It aims to promote early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma to prevent blindness. This national campaign seeks to unite experts, policymakers, and key stakeholders to discuss the current state of glaucoma awareness and treatment in India, while regional consultations are designed to elevate local awareness and facilitate meaningful discussions on the issue.

Glaucoma screening kiosks were set up during the consultations, allowing participants to get screened and understand their eye health better. The consultations were promoted extensively in the respective cities to ensure significant participation.

Shri. Rajendra Shukla, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, said, "The well-being of the people of Madhya Pradesh is our top priority, and good vision plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy and productive life. The government is fully committed to supporting initiatives like this, which focus on early detection and prevention of glaucoma.”

Shri. Narendra Shivaji Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State - Public Health and Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh, stated, "Public health and education are critical pillars for the progress of our state, and ensuring access to essential healthcare services, like eye care, is a key priority. Glaucoma, if left undiagnosed, can have devastating consequences, but with the right awareness and timely interventions, we can prevent this.

The consultation commenced with a warm welcome by Minakshi Patel, Project Officer, Madhya Pradesh, Sightsavers India.

This was followed by opening remarks from Mr Prasannakumar PN, Senior Director, Programmes, Sightsavers India who highlighted the significance of early intervention in preventing glaucoma-related blindness. " At Sightsavers India, our mission is to bridge this gap by bringing quality eye care to the forefront, especially for those who lack access to essential services. This consultation is an important opportunity to bring together experts, policymakers, and healthcare providers to share insights, strengthen our strategies, and prevent avoidable blindness.”

Suresh Pattathil, Managing Director of AbbVie India, via email stated, "At AbbVie, we are firmly committed to advancing healthcare innovation through meaningful collaboration. Our partnership with Sightsavers India underscores our dedication to addressing critical eye health challenges, such as glaucoma, which frequently goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage. Through this collaboration, we seek to enhance accessibility to eye care, promote early diagnosis, and ensure that individuals across India, particularly those in underrepresented communities, receive the care they need.”

Dr. B.K. Jain, Director and Trustee, Shri. Sadhguru Seva Sangh Trust and Guest of Honour, remarked, "In the realm of healthcare, prevention and early intervention are paramount. This collaboration between Sightsavers India and AbbVie India is a commendable initiative that not only brings much-needed attention to glaucoma but also provides tangible solutions through screenings and education.”

Dr Suneeta Dubey, Medical Director and Director of Glaucoma Services, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, and Keynote Speaker, said, "Glaucoma is a complex and often overlooked condition, but with early detection and appropriate treatment, we can prevent blindness and significantly improve patient's quality of life. This consultation is an important platform for driving awareness.”

A panel discussion followed which brought together specialists who discussed various approaches to managing glaucoma, followed by an interactive Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to seek advice directly from the experts.

To conclude the event, Sudipta Mohanty, Area Director, North India, Sightsavers India, shared the way forward, “The discussions and insights shared today will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategies for better awareness, early detection, and treatment of this silent disease. Moving forward, our focus will be on implementing actionable solutions and strengthening our collaborations with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities."  

Tasha Mahanta, State Programme Lead, Madhya Pradesh, Sightsavers India, delivered closing remarks, reiterating the need for ongoing public education and awareness around glaucoma prevention.

About AbbVie India:

At AbbVie, we set our sights on a future where vision lasts a lifetime. With a legacy of more than 75 years in eye care, we’re proud to offer 125 eye care products that help preserve and protect vision for patients around the world. We treat conditions from the front to the back of the eye, including glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and retinal diseases. 

For more information about AbbVie Eye Care, please visit us at

 https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/eye-care.html.

Eye Care

AbbVie ophthalmologists and scientists are working to find solutions for better eye care by examining the root causes of ocular diseases. Learn about our legacy and where we're headed in the future.

About Sightsavers India:

Sightsavers India is a development organisation working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equality of opportunity for people with disability.  Sightsavers India focuses on collaborating with various departments of the state governments to scale up operations for eye health, inclusive education, and social inclusion, which are our three core areas of work.

Sightsavers India works in 10 states – we have been working with government and local partners to strengthen organisations and communities. Our vision is of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes and people with disabilities participate equally in society.