Table of Contents - WOC 2012

Epidemiology of Childhood Blindness: Changing Needs?
Sat 18 Feb 10:30 - 12:00 Conference Room A4
IS-EPI-SA 190 (1)
Changing Patterns of Childhood Blindness
Gogate Parikshit (1)
1. Dr. Gogate›s Eye Clinic
Globally, Vitamin A deficiency, measles, and infection have declined as a cause
of blindness in children though there are still some settings in which these
causes persists. With reductions in nutritional and infectious causes of
blindness, intra-uterine and genetic causes of blindness (e.g., cataract and
congenital anomalies) have assumed increased importance. Retinopathy
of prematurity is becoming more common in developing societies as more
premature and low birth weight babies now survive. These need tertiary care
level interventions and long term follow up in order to achieve good visual
rehabilitation.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (2)
Significance of Childhood Blindness
Courtright Paul (1)
1. Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology
20 years ago vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was estimated to be the major cause
of childhood blindness. Successful vitamin A supplementation programmes
and measles immunization efforts have eliminated VAD as a cause of
blindness throughout most of the developing world. The epidemiology of
childhood blindness is no longer due to a single cause and there are significant
differences in causes in different settings. Recent findings will be used to
highlight the changing epidemiology of childhood blindness and review the
implications for treatment programmes.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (3)
Retinopathy of Prematurity. Resurgence in the Economically
Developing Countries
Vinekar Anand (1)
1. Narayana Nethralaya Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology
Middle-income countries such as India are said to be suffering from the ‘third
epidemic› of ROP. In India alone, over 2 million infants need screening each
year. The demographic factors, lack of awareness, woefully inadequate
screening programs and insufficiently trained experts all compound the
problem. We present our 4-year experience and challenges we met during the
set-up and maintenance of our Tele-ROP network (“KIDROP”) for unscreened
rural areas using two models - a subsidized private enterprise and a publicprivate-partnership.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (4)
Various Methods to Identify Blind Children
Muhit Mohamad
Abstract not available
IS-EPI-SA 190 (5)
African Perspective
Kalua Khumbo (1)
1. Blantyte Insitute for Community Ophthalmology
This presentation highlights the main changes in epidemiology of childhood
blindness that have occurred over the past 25 years in Africa, and what public
health issues has contributed to these changes. Clinicians and researchers
interested in working in Paediatric and public health Ophthalmology will by the
end of the sessions have a clear understanding of what is currently needed to
fight blindness in children and contribute to the goal of VISION 2020: the Right
To Sight in Africa.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (6)
Combating Pediatric Cataract
Lambert Scott (1)
1. Emory University
WOC2012 Abstract Book
Pediatric cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in developing countries.
The diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cataracts is often delayed resulting
in permanent visual impairment. Different strategies including using key
informants or primary health care workers have been used successfully to
identify cataracts at an earlier age. Intraocular lenses have become the standard
for optically correcting children after cataract surgery. Ongoing surveillance is
required after cataract surgery to monitor for visual axis opacities, glaucoma,
and refractive errors.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (7)
Screening and Public Health Strategies for Diabetic Retinopathy in
the Middle East
Khandekar Rajiv (1)
1. Eye and Ear Health Care, Ministry of Health
2. BCEIO, UBC
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a blinding eye complication of diabetes. To address
visual disabilities due to DR, periodic DR screening of all diabetics is suggested
to facilitate early detection. The rationale and principles of DR screening are
discussed. The magnitude of DR in Eastern Mediterranean countries is also
presented. Public health strategies to address visual disabilities due to DR
include generating evidence based information, implementing standard
operating procedures, periodic DR screening, focusing on primary prevention
of DR, strengthening DR management, health information management and
retrieval system for DR, rehabilitating visually disabled persons with diabetes,
adopting comprehensive approach by integrating DR care within existing
health systems, health promotion and counseling, involving the community
and using low cost technologies. Public health approach for DR could face
challenges like limitations in the public health approach for DR compared to
that for cataract, dearth of skilled human resource, weak health systems and
lack of inertia in bringing changes to the health related behavior of persons with
diabetes. Visual disabilities due to DR are likely to rise in the coming years. An
organized public health approach must be adopted and all stakeholders must
work together to control severe visual disabilities due to DR.
IS-EPI-SA 190 (8)
Childhood Blindness in Eastern Europe
Shandurkov Ilian (1) , Kirilova Yordanka
1. University Eye Hospital
Present data shows that as a result of improved survival of low-birth weight
children, there is an increase of blindness due to ROP. A trend of growing
rate of blindness in childhood due to severe ocular trauma is observed. Main
causes for disability eye in childhood are: refractive errors (19,1%), trauma
(18,1%), birth defects (16,2%) and retinal pathology (14,3%). The available
information on the causes of visual loss in childhood shows marked variations
in the region.
Physician - Hospital Partnering: Innovative Strategies for Success
Sat 18 Feb 10:30 - 12:00 Conference Room B3
IS-WFS-SA 191 (1)
A Disciplined Approach for Evaluating New Medical Technology
Fine Allan (1)
1. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
Many specialty hospitals lack a disciplined, focused and strategic process for
evaluating the clinical efficacy, cost efficiency, reimbursement potential, market
potential and market value of new drugs and devices. Attendees will learn
about developing a strategic process for evaluating the clinical efficacy, cost
efficiency, reimbursement potential, market potential and market value of new
drugs and devices. In addition, insights will be shared regarding potential
savings from standardization, understanding stakeholders› concerns and
manufacturers› challenges.
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