SightLife Restarts Clinical Training in Nepal

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, SightLife facilitated an in-person training on June 6-7 on clinical management of cornea care for ophthalmic assistants in Nepal.

The training event was hosted by Bharatpur Eye Hospital, one of SightLife’s longtime regional partners. It focused on updating primary eye care providers in the effective management of corneal disease to better serve rural communities and prevent corneal blindness.

About 20 ophthalmic assistants participated in the training. Ophthalmic assistants are often the first care providers to see patients at vision centers in their communities. They received training in diagnosis, management and treatment of corneal disease, and referral protocols, including hands-on experience with patients.

Since 2009, SightLife has built relationships with local partners in India, Nepal, Greater China, Ethiopia, and other international locations to provide virtual, hybrid, and in-person education opportunities. These trainings build capacity on a range of issues from transplant techniques to effective management of corneal disease. Collectively, these offerings aim to improve patient outcomes and strengthen local health systems in low- and middle-income countries to eliminate corneal blindness.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Puspa Giri from Bharatpur Eye Hospital, SightLife Board Member Dr. Audrey Talley Rostov, Dr. Poonam Shrestha from Nepal Eye Hospital, and Mr. Bimal Poudyal from the Nepal Ophthalmic Assistant Society.