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When Outreach Isn’t EnoughThe Success and Failure of Eye Camps in India

Harshita YerramreddyAdvisor: Anastasia KarakasidouWith help of: Connor Orrico, Dr. Tamilsaran Senthil, Vineet Raman

31 Million People Are Blind.⅔ of those people are women.

31M people are blind.

285 M are visually impaired.Those who are blind are 90% less likely to work.They are 3x as likely to enter poverty.Die an average of 15-20 years younger than their peers.

but...80% of blindness is preventable or treatableCataracts can be treated with a 10-minute, $50 surgery

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/

WHAT’S A CATARACT? $50

http://www.fleye.com/images/normal-eye--cataract.jpg

WOMEN AND BLINDNESSWomen represent 2 of every 3 blind people in the world.Account for 67% of all people with visual problemsBut women utilize eye care services 40% less than men

Why?

Gender inequality.● Gender disparities in education level

and socioeconomic status● Cultural gender roles and power

differentials

BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE

● Financial implications of medical care, transportation, and lost wages

● Fear● Local beliefs or customs● Misperceptions about blindness● Distance from clinics

Unite for Sight’s Impact: ● 2.1 M patients served● 94,530 sight-restoring

surgeries completed● Outcomes, not outputs

○ Continuation of patient care pre- and post-op

My Impact: ● 1,500 patients● > 500 pairs of reading glasses● 45 surgeries

IMPACT

Not all global health organizations are the same.

Patients crumpling up cataract prescription upon leaving● Lack of adherence● Barriers to healthcare that we couldn’t help with

Communication barriers● Language & Culture

Wealthy/middle-class people taking the free glasses● Reach out to the communities

that need it the most

WHAT DIDN’T WORK?

● Volunteers○ Extensive training

● Doctors and Clinic Staff○ Paperwork and accounting

for each patient

● Patients pay a nominal fee○ Increases adherence

ACCOUNTABILITY

● Run by local clinics year-round● Not dependent on volunteers● Support from local NGOs

○ Lions Club○ Sight Care Foundation

SUSTAINABILITY

Get involved!

Become a Unite for Sight Global Impact FellowWellesley Unite for Sight ChapterAttend Global Health & Innovation Conference

April 22-23, Yale University

Thank you!