There are 4.8 million blind in India.
As in Africa, many of those most in need receive primary care from non- medical ophthalmic clinical officers. Our teaching efforts have been directed at this cadre, most of whom do not receive regular professional updates. So far, we have conducted courses for 65 of these workers at the HV Desai Hospital in Pune (in Maharastra) and at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana (in the Punjab).
The rapid increase in Diabetes (in India now 9% of the adult population) and of its sight threatening potential has been a particular focus for our teaching.
