India is set to emerge as the diabetic capital of the world. In 2000 there were 31.7 million diabetics in India and this number is estimated to rise to 79.4 million by 2030 – the largest number in any nation. Diabetic retinopathy is a blinding complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by regular screening and timely intervention.

CMC’s department of Ophthalmology is dedicated to the screening, prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Their outreach team reaches out to rural areas surrounding Vellore, screening those with diabetes.

Previously screening was carried out either using a fundus camera and tele-screening or by fundus examination. However, the numbers they were able to screen by this method were low and confined to those presenting themselves. Moreover, patients requiring treatment need to be referred to CMC’s base hospital (Schell Eye Hospital) for further management. Completion of treatment may require several visits.

Friends of Vellore UK partnered with their respective organisations in Australia and the USA to enable CMC’s ophthalmology department to buy a mobile ophthalmic unit.

This mobile clinic, which has been operational since September 2022, screens and treats patients with diabetic retinopathy as well as other eye disease in rural areas around Vellore.

The staff named the vehicle ‘Siloam’ after the pool where Jesus healed the blind man. Siloam also means sent which feels very appropriate.

The unit is addressing issues of poor access and follow up. Screening is now accessible to much larger numbers and the laser machine enables treatment in the field for those requiring it.

The vehicle is fitted with a canopy to provide shade, a screen on the window that can be used to show health education videos and a glasses dispensary inside.

CMC are extremely grateful to the Friends of Vellore for our generosity and support.

CMC’s ophthalmology outreach work takes place six days a week. In the Jawadhi Hills (population of about 80,000) there are no ophthalmology services or places to buy glasses apart from CMC’s new vision centre set up in April 2022. This fixed facility includes a spectacle shop with an optometrist providing primary eye care services.