Ongoing projects:
- Vision in Occupational Groups Eye Study (VOGES)
- Nirmal Eye Evaluations for Trends (NEET) Study
- Environmental Eye Study (EES)
- Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study (TOES)
- Cognitive Level Enhancement through Vision Exams and Refraction A randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of near and distance spectacles on reducing rates of cognitive decline with aging in community-dwelling older people in India (CLEVER)
- VC-SC Barrier Study
Vision in Occupational Groups Eye Study (VOGES)
Funding Support: Lions Clubs International Sight First Research grant and LVPEI
Programme Duration: October, 2019 - September, 2022
This longitudinal study aims to comprehensively study vision loss, binocular vision anomalies and ocular morbidity in occupational groups involved in intensive near work. The occupational groups include garment makers, bangles makers and cloth weavers.
Objectives:This longitudinal study aims to comprehensively study vision loss, binocular vision anomalies and ocular morbidity in occupational groups involved in intensive near work. The occupational groups include garment makers, bangles makers and cloth weavers.
Nirmal Eye Evaluations for Trends (NEET) Study
Funding Support:iHOPE
Programme Duration:November, 2021 - April, 2022
This project aims to assess the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the Nirmal district in Telangana and aims to compare the prevalence estimates with earlier epidemiological studies. Rapid assessment of Visual Impairment and Rapid Assessment of Refractive errors methods are combined in the study. This study is scheduled to complete in April 2022.
Environmental Eye Study (EES)
Funding Support: Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and LVPEI
Programme Duration: June, 2021 - June, 2022
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, and accompanied by ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles. Odisha is one of the most mineral-rich states of India. Keonjhar district top among the 6 districts with current high extraction (31.28%).There are many ocular conditions, reversible and irreversible that can affect the quality of life. One such condition is dry eye disease which is presumed to be more prevalent in the mining environment. Such condition can affect daily activity and work-related tasks, wage loss, reduced productivity and poor quality of life.
Objectives:
Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study ( TOES)
Funding Support: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India & SCSRTRI, Govt. of Odisha and LVPE
Programme Duration: July, 2021 - February, 2022
The Dongrai Kondhs are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) inhabiting the lofty forest of Niyamagiri Hill ranges of Eastern Ghat of Rayagada District. The population of DongriaKondha is around 9659 spread over 100 villages. The health status of the Dongra Kondhs is poor due to high level of poverty, poor environmental sanitation and hygiene and poor knowledge on availability and access to public health care facilities resulting in increased severity and duration of illness. As per the study conducted by ICMR / RMRC, Bhubaneswar on the health profile of the Dongria Kondhs, it was reported that around 20% of the Dongria Kondhs suffer from eye disease problems and even blindness. As a follow up of the RMRC study, SC SCTRTI proposed to conduct a pilot study to understand the prevalence of eye diseases amongst PVTGs in Odisha.
Objectives:
Cognitive Level Enhancement through Vision Exams and Refraction A randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of near and distance spectacles on reducing rates of cognitive decline with aging in community-dwelling older people in India (CLEVER)
Funding Support: Wellcome Trust and LVPEI
Programme Duration: June, 2021 - September, 2026
The CLEVER trial aims to determine whether free near and distance glasses provided to older adults living in or near Hyderabad, India, aged ≥ 60 years, with under- or un-corrected refractive error and normal baseline hearing and cognition (HMSE > 18), can reduce rates of cognitive decline, measured by a global cognitive score from the LASI-DAD cognitive testing battery over 36 months.
Objectives:
The qualitative component of the CLEVER study will provide information on the context in which the trial will occur. Specific objectives include:
VC-SC Barrier Study
Funding Support: IHOPE
Programme Duration: November, 2021 - Ongoing
Barriers to reach secondary level eye care service centre of L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad after being referred by primary rural eye care centres --A qualitative study at Kuchakulla Ramachandra Reddy Eye Centre (KRREC), Thoodukurthy and Navabharat Eye Centre (NBEC), Paloncha, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana.
Objectives: