Unit at Thrissur

Drishti is a project with comprehensive approach to preventable blindness in the community. It aims to correct the refractive errors in school-going children of the age group 6-16 years, provides treatment for other ophthalmic problems in children, identify early signs of cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma and managing them and improve vision. The project is aimed to consolidate all the activities of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) in Ophthalmology into one umbrella named Drishti. It will act as community Nethra units with the intention to prevent blindness.

Patients are selected through screening camps from all the Grama Panchayats in Thrissur district with the help of Government Ayurveda dispensaries. Nethra specialist of Rama Varma District Ayurveda Hospital (RVDAH), Thrissur acts as the Nodal Officer of the project and Chief Medical Officer of the hospital acts as the controlling officer of the project. Manpower consists of Specialist Medical Officer, Optometrist and a multipurpose worker.

Early diagnosis and treatment of ocular problems can help in the prevention of vision loss. After assessing the patient’s signs and symptoms, along with clinical history and test reports, the treatment modalities are planned. Apart from refraction assessment, Schirmer’s test and tonometry are the ocular examination services provided in RVDAH Thrissur under Drishti project.