Field Activities

On-Field Activities of Community Eye Care & Research Center (CECRC)

On-Field Activities of Community Eye Care & Research Center (CECRC)

Bringing quality eye care to underserved communities

1. General Eye Camp (PSP)

The General Eye Camp is one of the primary outreach activities conducted by the Community Eye Care & Research Center (CECRC) to improve access to quality eye care services for underserved and hard-to-reach populations. These camps are organized in collaboration with local communities, healthcare providers, educational institutions, religious organizations, local government representatives, and community leaders. The primary objective is to identify individuals suffering from preventable or treatable eye diseases and connect them with appropriate treatment services.

Before organizing the camp, CECRC conducts community mobilization through awareness campaigns, posters, leaflets, microphone announcements, social media, and coordination meetings with local stakeholders. Registration of beneficiaries is completed at the camp site, followed by comprehensive eye examinations performed by trained ophthalmic personnel.

Services Provided During the Camp:

  • Registration and patient history collection
  • Visual acuity assessment
  • Refraction testing for refractive errors
  • Slit lamp examination
  • Measurement of intraocular pressure when indicated
  • Screening for cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, childhood eye diseases, and other ocular conditions
  • Counseling regarding eye diseases and preventive measures
  • Distribution of prescribed medicines free of cost
  • Provision of reading glasses or low-cost spectacles where appropriate
  • Identification and referral of patients requiring cataract surgery or specialized treatment to CECRC base hospital

Data collected during the camp are documented in standardized reporting formats, allowing CECRC to monitor disease patterns, evaluate outreach performance, and ensure continuity of care through referrals and follow-up.

2. Target Eye Camp

The Target Eye Camp is a specialized outreach initiative designed to serve vulnerable and marginalized populations who often experience barriers in accessing routine eye care services. These camps are organized specifically for selected population groups such as:

  • Transgender communities
  • Elderly populations
  • Tribal and indigenous communities
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Tea garden workers
  • Slum dwellers
  • Industrial workers
  • Other socially disadvantaged groups

These camps are implemented through strong collaboration with multiple stakeholders including:

  • Local Government Institutions
  • NGOs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
  • Social welfare departments
  • Tribal leaders
  • Community leaders
  • Women's groups
  • Youth organizations
  • Disability organizations
  • Corporate partners under CSR initiatives

Prior to the camp, CECRC conducts community consultations and stakeholder meetings to understand the specific needs and cultural sensitivities of the target population. Community volunteers assist in beneficiary identification and mobilization.

Services Provided:

  • Comprehensive eye examinations
  • Diagnosis and management of common eye diseases
  • Refraction services
  • Distribution of free medicines
  • Provision of spectacles where indicated
  • Identification of cataract and other surgical cases
  • Referral for advanced investigations or surgery
  • Eye health education focusing on disease prevention and healthy eye practices

Target camps promote health equity by ensuring that disadvantaged populations receive quality eye care regardless of their socioeconomic status.

3. School Sight Camp

The School Sight Camp is an important preventive eye health program aimed at detecting vision problems among school-going children, particularly secondary and high school students. Early identification of visual impairment significantly improves educational performance, classroom participation, and overall child development.

Before the camp, CECRC coordinates with school authorities, teachers, parent committees, and local education officials to schedule screening activities. Awareness sessions are conducted to educate students and teachers about eye health and the importance of regular vision examinations.

Services Provided During the Camp:

Trained ophthalmic personnel perform:

  • Visual acuity testing
  • Color vision assessment when required
  • Refraction examination
  • External eye examination
  • Detection of refractive errors, squint, amblyopia, allergic conjunctivitis, vitamin A deficiency, and other common eye conditions

Support for Students with Refractive Errors:

  • Prescription spectacles
  • Free or subsidized spectacles depending on the project
  • Necessary ophthalmic medicines
  • Counseling regarding proper spectacle use and eye care

Students requiring advanced evaluation are referred to CECRC's eye hospital or partner facilities for further diagnosis and treatment. Parents are informed about the child's eye condition and necessary follow-up measures.

Educational Sessions Include:

  • Proper reading habits
  • Safe digital device usage
  • Nutrition for healthy vision
  • Eye injury prevention
  • Importance of wearing prescribed spectacles

4. Follow-Up Camp

The Follow-Up Camp is conducted to monitor patients who have undergone cataract surgery through CECRC outreach programs. The follow-up generally takes place approximately 28 days after surgery, ensuring that postoperative recovery is progressing well and that patients achieve the best possible visual outcomes.

Objectives of the Follow-Up Camp:

  • Assessment of surgical outcomes
  • Early detection of postoperative complications
  • Reinforcement of postoperative care instructions
  • Improvement of patient satisfaction and long-term visual rehabilitation

During the Follow-Up Visit, Ophthalmic Personnel Perform:

  • Visual acuity assessment
  • Eye examination
  • Wound healing evaluation
  • Detection of infection or inflammation
  • Refraction assessment
  • Counseling regarding postoperative eye care

Patients Are Provided With:

  • Free postoperative medicines when necessary
  • Free prescription spectacles after refraction
  • Additional treatment if complications are detected
  • Referral to the base hospital for specialized management if required

Follow-up data are documented and compared with preoperative records to monitor surgical success rates and improve service quality.

Patient Education Topics:

  • Medication adherence
  • Personal hygiene
  • Protection of the operated eye
  • Warning signs requiring immediate medical attention

5. Patient Satisfaction Survey

The Patient Satisfaction Survey is an essential quality assurance activity conducted by CECRC to evaluate beneficiaries' experiences and continuously improve service delivery. Specially appointed staff members who are not directly involved in clinical care conduct interviews with beneficiaries after receiving services.

The survey aims to assess the quality, accessibility, efficiency, and patient-centeredness of CECRC services.

Aspects Covered During the Interview:

Accessibility
  • Ease of registration
  • Convenience of camp location
  • Waiting time
  • Availability of transportation
Quality of Clinical Care
  • Professional behavior of doctors and staff
  • Adequacy of examination
  • Clarity of diagnosis
  • Confidence in treatment received
Communication
  • Explanation of disease and treatment
  • Understanding of medication instructions
  • Opportunity to ask questions
  • Respectful communication by healthcare providers
Facilities and Environment
  • Cleanliness of the camp
  • Privacy during examination
  • Comfort of waiting areas
  • Overall organization of the camp
Medicines and Spectacles
  • Availability of prescribed medicines
  • Timely distribution of spectacles
  • Quality of spectacles provided
  • Satisfaction with visual improvement
Overall Satisfaction
  • Overall rating of CECRC services
  • Likelihood of recommending CECRC to family or friends
  • Suggestions for service improvement
  • Complaints or concerns regarding service delivery

Survey findings are analyzed regularly to identify strengths, address service gaps, and develop quality improvement plans. Beneficiary feedback is shared with management and relevant departments to enhance patient-centered care, improve operational efficiency, strengthen accountability, and ensure that CECRC continues to deliver accessible, equitable, and high-quality eye care services to the communities it serves.