Mishra S1, Chand B1

1Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh

Biography:

SAILESH KUMAR MISHRA Doctor of Philosophy in social marketing is compassionate and International Award-winning social development professional with over 19 years of experience in eye healthcare. Currently he is associated with Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) National NGO in Nepal as an Executive Director managing 28 eye hospitals and 226 eye care centers. He is also Country Chair of Nepal for International Agency for Prevention of Blindness

He successfully implemented the program to eliminate trachoma from Nepal.

He was also involved in drafting National Eye Health Strategies, Post validation surveillance Guidelines for trachoma.

Abstract:

Background:

Vision impairment is a major public health issue in Nepal, particularly among people over 50, where more than one in five are affected. Over 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable through cost-effective interventions. Access to eye care is limited in rural and remote areas, home to 78% of the population, resulting in untreated conditions and avoidable blindness. This case study describes a district-level approach to improve access to refractive error (RE) services using task-shifting and community-based models.

Methods:

Screening and treatment were delivered through door-to-door visits, school programs, health post (“Vision at Hills”) services, and primary health centre outreach. Task-shifting expanded the workforce to include Eye Health Workers, Ophthalmic Assistants, nurses, and health assistants, trained in screening, basic treatment, and referral. Referrals were linked to government eye care centres and higher-level facilities for complex cases. Peek Vision software recorded visual acuity, tracked patients, and monitored spectacle dispensing. Programs were implemented through partnerships among stakeholders.

Results:

Across five districts, 1,368 schools, 217 health posts, 21 eye care centres, two secondary hospitals, and one tertiary hospital were linked. Ninety-eight staff were trained. Between December 2022 and August 2025, over 200,000 people were screened, 32,000 identified with eye health needs, and 12,500 accessed care. Treatment rates at screening increased from 27% to 60% in one district, and triage attendance improved by 10% in another.

Conclusion:

Task-shifting combined with digital tracking significantly improved RE service access. Nationwide scale-up of Peek-powered programs is planned to support integrated, people-centered eye care in Nepal.