A collaboration between India and the United States since 2005, Project Prakash aims at bringing light into the lives of curably blind children while simultaneously engaging in fundamental scientific research which explains how the brain develops and learns to see
Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH) and the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, inaugurated centre for their ongoing initiative, Project Prakash. A collaboration between India and the United States since 2005, Project Prakash aims at bringing light into the lives of curably blind children while simultaneously engaging in fundamental scientific research which explains how the brain develops and learns to see.
The Project Prakash Centre was inaugurated by Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in the presence of Dr Michael Chiang, Director, National Eye Institute (NEI).
Project Prakash is an initiative wherein children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 22 years are treated for bilateral congenital cataracts.
Dr Chiang said, “Project Prakash has had a significant socio-economic impact on the lives of patients and their families. Successfully treating a child who would have otherwise spent his/her life visually impaired opens up a realm of opportunities. In fact, via this project, we have seen that after surgery – 49 per cent of the children improved from blindness to low vision and 25 per cent further improved to the no impairment category with low vision devices. However, a lot of children hailing from vulnerable and marginalised sections of society are not screened or diagnosed in time. We are proud that NEI supports the cutting-edge research work in partnership with Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital. Project Prakash provides funding for the surgeries and also ensures transportation to the hospital, compensation for the lost wages to parents who have missed work while taking care of their child and access to quality surgical care.”
Dr Suma Ganesh, Chairperson, Paediatric Centre of Excellence and Director – Paediatric Ophthalmology, SCEH, and the Indian Principal Investigator, Project Prakash said, “Through Project Prakash we are giving children the ability to lead a relatively normal life. Those who were earlier dependent on others and were studying in blind schools or refusing to socialise are now venturing out – their functional vision resorted to some extent – opening themselves up to avenues of education, social interaction, and livelihood. In fact, looking at the success rates, surgeons are now more willing to treat older children. Providing children this opportunity while also delving into why these eye ailments occur in the first place is the essence of Project Prakash.”
Pace said, “Project Prakash conducts high-impact research, encompassing both clinical and basic science studies as well as provide a direct service for children who are visually impaired. I congratulate Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital and NEI for their partnership and their commendable efforts in India.”
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