Telangana to boost government ophthalmology services with LVPEI support

Telangana government is planning to strengthen ophthalmology services in government hospitals across the State through a partnership with the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), with a focus on improving specialised eye care, neonatal screening, corneal donation and referral services.

Telangana has 35 government medical colleges with ophthalmology departments that already provide specialist eye care, including optometry services and cataract surgeries. Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital in Hyderabad, the State’s centre of excellence for ophthalmology, currently offers advanced procedures such as retinal surgeries and laser treatment, squint surgeries, corneal transplants, ocular oncology, oculoplasty and glaucoma management.

To improve the referral system for eye care across Telangana, the department has completed a gap assessment to establish dedicated ophthalmology operation theatres and provide necessary equipment in district-level teaching hospitals. The initiative is expected to be implemented in a phased and timely manner.

Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said the partnership would focus on delivering affordable, equitable and accessible eye care. As part of the collaboration, the government plans to expand the pilot neonatal eye screening programme, currently being implemented in government hospitals in Bhadradri Kothagudem district with LVPEI support, to other districts in phases.

The government is also examining the establishment of regional corneal retrieval centres, or eye banks, in partnership with LVPEI to strengthen corneal donation. In addition, training under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram will be enhanced to improve optometric services for students in government residential schools.

A workshop involving government teaching hospitals is scheduled to be held in August to identify additional areas for collaboration.