Armenian diabetes eye care project uses technology to get results

In 2016, the Armenian EyeCare Project approached WDF with an ambitious plan for improving diabetes retinopathy (DR) screening and care across their mountainous, landlocked country in the South Caucasus. 

At the time, the Armenian Ministry of Health was implementing a strategy to prevent diabetes and improve care, but it did not address eye care. The Armenian EyeCare Project (AECP) had collected data showing that people with diabetes – many of them undiagnosed – were developing cataracts and fundus disorders at higher rates than Armenians without diabetes. They wanted to address this – and fill the gap in Armenia’s diabetes strategy - by integrating DR screening and treatment into their countrywide eyecare programme. 

The project, Preventing blindness from diabetic retinopathy, received WDF support in 2016. Its goals were to improve geographic and financial access to diabetes-related eye-care, increase the capacity of medical professionals, and enhance diabetes-related advocacy. The project was implemented throughout the country, focusing on access to the poorest settlements, and provided screening and basic care services free of charge.  

By the time the project closed earlier this year, it had trained more than 1,200 medical staff and screened 52,386 people for DR. Of those screened, 16,000 people received DR photo imaging, 8,500 were diagnosed with DR or diabetic macular edema, and 1229 people received laser treatment.