Background:
The launch of the Vision 2020 The Right to Sight provided a very practical framework to analyse the problem of blindness and visual impairment in a manner that it can lead to concrete action. We need good quality information to be able to carry out our eye care programmes in support of VISION 2020, to measure (and improve) our performance, and to advocate for the resources and support we need to succeed. Even though a lot of this information can be collected, analysed, and used as part of our daily work, many of our questions can only be answered by creating scientific evidence through dedicated research. Even if research and publication of findings have been happening, there is massive mismatch in terms of the areas in need and the areas where work is being done. More than 90 percent of the research contribution is from the developed world, which has less than 10 percent of the blindness magnitude.
Key factors that demand the need for more research in Glaucoma include:
- Treatment paradigms for Glaucoma established by research in resource-rich areas may not be an appropriate basis for delivering care in resource-poor areas. We need to test them and see what works best.
- Health systems research, critical to inform our programmes and policies, is currently under-prioritised and under-resourced, and will not take place without more support.
- New evidence is needed to help us plan management of Glaucoma because the patterns of disease are changing constantly, both due to demographic changes and the changing lifestyles.
In addition, even when the appropriate research is available, there tends to be a gap between existing research and the actual use of evidence in the planning of Glaucoma programmes in the field; this is because research is often not easily accessible or not reported in a way that enables translation into actions
Purpose of the workshop:
The purpose is to advise and collaborate with a select group of dedicated researchers to help generate evidence that will aid in the development of both short term and long term goals of glaucoma research in India. We hope this might change new health care policies, in addition to the development of treatment and diagnostic paradigms.
We hope to evaluate both the available and needed resources including manpower and infrastructure, identifying crucial research priorities that are both easily attainable and a stretch. We hope to build upon our strengths and find out which new skills and facilities we need to enhance effective research and publications from India.
Workshop Objectives:
- To determine what the current capacities, strengths and weaknesses of the major Indian eye care centers are.
- To identify key research priorities in Glaucoma for the next ten years.
- To develop a plan for implementation of these priorities.
- To determine strategies for better dissemination of research findings for use in policy, programming, practice and advocacy.
- To develop strategies for strengthening research capacity in India
Expected Outcome:
- Identify Current capabilities in Research in India
- Identify Barriers to effective glaucoma research in India
- Prioritized list of research areas & topics and resources required with an action plan for taking it forward
- Action Plan and a road map for strengthening Glaucoma research capacity in India
- Sensitising eye care funding agencies who invest in Glaucoma service delivery to also to put aside some funding every year to promote research
- Initiation of Indian Glaucoma Research Group (IGRG)
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