Bihar hosts 5th state-level consultation on glaucoma prevention

New Delhi: Under the ongoing collaborative campaign between Sightsavers India and AbbVie India, the fifth state-level consultation on glaucoma prevention was held in Patna, Bihar.

The consultation brought together ophthalmologists, public health experts, civil society representatives, and media professionals to discuss ways to tackle glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Glaucoma often progresses without symptoms until significant vision loss occurs, making early detection critical. The experts at the consultation emphasised the importance of recognising the symptoms, early and regular eye check-ups and explored strategies to enhance access to diagnosis and treatment. The discussion was also held on improving awareness and knowledge sharing for the local population. 

As part of the initiative, glaucoma screening was set up at the venue. Attendees aged 40 and above had the opportunity to check their eye health, get screened for glaucoma and learn more about risk factors.

Dr Neeraj Kumar, State programme office, NPCB & VI, Government of Bihar, graced the event as a Chief Guest and spoke about the need for prioritising eye health in public healthcare policies. He said “The Bihar government fully supports this initiative, as good health is fundamental to the progress of our people. Blindness caused by glaucoma is preventable, but only if individuals are aware and undergo timely screenings. Such initiatives by Sightsavers India and AbbVie India play a crucial role in promoting early detection and strengthening eye care services in the state. By increasing awareness and accessibility, we can ensure that no one loses their vision to a condition that can be managed with the right intervention.”

The consultation commenced with a warm welcome by Suvendu Mitra, State Programme Lead, Sightsavers India, followed by opening remarks from Mr. R.N. Mohanty, CEO, Sightsavers India and Dr. Rahul Rathod, Director – Medical Affairs, AbbVie India, who emphasised the importance of early intervention and bridging gaps in glaucoma care.

Following the opening remarks, Dr. Ajeet Kumar Dwivedi, Director of Rajendranagar Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Patna, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the critical need for early glaucoma diagnosis, stressing the need for training of Ophthalmic Assistants and Optometrists for early detection.  He also highlighted the need for better awareness and access to treatment, especially in communities where eye care services are limited. “I applaud the initiative undertaken by Sightsavers India and AbbVie India on highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening glaucoma management and ensuring more people get diagnosed and treated in time.

Dr. Rahul Rathod, Director – Medical Affairs, AbbVie India stated that “At AbbVie India, we are dedicated to advancing eye health and ensuring that preventable blindness from glaucoma is addressed through awareness, early detection, and access to care. Our collaboration with Sightsavers India has already facilitated critical discussions and screenings across multiple states, and today’s consultation in Patna is another significant step towards this mission. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and communities, we aim to drive meaningful change in glaucoma care, empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to protect their vision”

Mr R.N. Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India said “Consultations are essential for opening an honest dialogue on glaucoma care. Our four state-level consultations so far have brought together experts, community leaders, and policymakers, creating a space that sparked critical discussions and innovative solutions. And today, Bihar joins this momentum. Through our robust collaboration with AbbVie India, we’ve integrated effective screening and outreach initiatives to reduce preventable blindness. Building on these discussions, we are preparing for a national consultation in Delhi to drive even greater impact in glaucoma awareness and care.”

A panel discussion followed, bringing together specialists who discussed various approaches to managing glaucoma. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to seek advice directly from the experts.

Ophthalmologists Dr Ajit Kumar Poddar, Medical Director & Principal at Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospitals and Dr Utkarsh Bhardwaj, Consultant at Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital, Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman, a public health expert and Suvendu Mitra, State Programme Lead, Sightsavers India shared their insights on glaucoma management.

Dr Poddar, presently leading the clinical function at Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospitals, Bihar, India, with over 22 years of experience in ophthalmology and a strong focus on community eye care, spoke about the need for widespread awareness and early screening, particularly in rural areas where access to eye care is limited. Having performed over 100,000 surgeries, he highlighted the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to strengthen glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Bhardwaj, a specialist in glaucoma management, refractive surgery, and medical retina, stressed the role of advanced diagnostic tools such as OCT, perimetry, and fundus imaging in detecting glaucoma at an early stage. With experience in training future eye care professionals, he underlined the importance of building capacity in the field to ensure quality care reaches those who need it most.

Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman, a public health expert, highlighted the need to prioritise glaucoma within primary healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved areas. He also spoke about the importance of community-driven awareness efforts to encourage people to seek timely eye care.

Suvendu Mitra, State Programme Lead, Sightsavers India, highlighted the key takeaways from the discussions and outlined the way forward. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration, sustained awareness efforts, and strengthening eye health services to ensure early detection and treatment of glaucoma, ultimately working towards reducing preventable blindness in Bihar.

The consultation concluded with Meenakshi Jha, Programme Officer – Quality, Sightsavers India, delivering the felicitation and vote of thanks, acknowledging the valuable contributions of all participants and stakeholders.