Funding: No external funding
In July-October 2016, Meghrigian Institute conducted eye screenings among people who live in Vardenis Neuropsychological Retirement Home, which serves around 430 people. Two hundred ninety-nine people were able to participate in the screenings. Refractive errors were found in 110 participants who received 120 free eye glasses from the Meghrigian Institute.
On October 13, Meghrigian Institute distributed 324 eye glasses to the beneficiaries of the Center for Social Services for Single Elderly and Disabled People in Yerevan to celebrate World Sight Day 2016. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute screened 382 beneficiaries of the Center for Social Services for Single Elderly and Disabled People between May and October 2016.
Meghrigian Institute conducted a 4-day training on “Ophthalmic Diseases, Modern Diagnostic and Treatment Methods” among ophthalmologists and a 2-day training on “Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Ophthalmic Diseases” among ophthalmic nurses from nine marzes of Armenia in October and November 2016. All participants received certificates in recognition of successful completion of the training course and continuing medical education credits from the Minister of Health in Armenia.
In December 2016, Meghrigian Institute screened 76 and 31 beneficiaries of the Armenian Caritas Day Care Centers for Elderly in Gyumri and Gavar, respectively. The beneficiaries received 100 eye glasses from the Meghrigian Institute.
Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology conducted a project aimed at reducing the incidence of avoidable blindness and visual impairment among school children living in Kashatagh from fall 2016 to March 2017. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute visited Berdzor, Tsaghkaberd, Urekan, and Martunashen to carry out eye screenings among schoolchildren. Overall, 453 schoolchildren participated in the eye screenings. Twenty four children who had refractive errors received eye glasses from the Meghrigian Institute.
In August 2016-March 2017, Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology launched eye screening program among patients with diabetes living in Tavush region of Armenia. The primary aim of this program was to provide free ophthalmic examination and eye glasses among diabetic patients with low access to the ophthalmic services. The secondary aim was to increase the awareness about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among target population. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute visited to the main cities of Tavush region (Dilijan, Ijevan, Berd and Noyemberyan) and their adjacent villages between August and December 2016. A total of 449 diabetics were screened: 109 were from Dilijan, 167 were from Ijevan, 92 from Noyemberyan and 81 from Berd and adjacent villages. In addition to conducting screenings, the Meghrigian Institute provided to the participants informational brochures and booklets on diabetes management and complications, including diabetic retinopathy and its prevention. Meghrigian Institute distributed 77 eye glasses to the participants from border villages of Tavush region such as Voskevan, Ptghavan, Koghb, Berdavan, Haghtanak, Bagratashen, Voskepar, Debetavan, Koti and Baghanis to commemorate the late Gloria Meghrigian, wife of Garo Meghrigian, who passed in 2016 using the memorial gift of $1,810 raised in lieu of flowers from friends and family.
In April-May 2017, Meghrigian Institute launched its annual eye screening program among socially vulnerable children. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute visited Mary Izmirlyan Orphange and Gavar Children’s Home. Forty seven out of 110 children at Mary Izmirlyan Orphanage and 52 out of 59 children at Gavar Children’s Home were able to participate in detailed eye screenings. Meghrigian Institute distributed 46 spectacles to the children with refractive errors and 60 children with eye diseases received medical assistance. One child from Gavar Childen’s Home with congenital aniridia received colored contact lenses.
In May – June of 2017, Meghrigian Institute launched an eye screening and care program among family members of fallen soldiers in Artsakh and socially vulnerable population living in Stepanakert, Artsakh. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute carried out eye screenings among 112 family members of fallen soldiers in Artsakh, and 40 beneficiaries of Stepanakert retirement home and 30 beneficiaries from the Center for Single Elderly and Disabled People of the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues of Artsakh. In July 2017, Meghrigian Institute will distribute 172 spectacles to those in need and will provide medications to 27 people diagnosed with eye diseases.
In June 2017, Meghrigian Institute carried out eye screening among socially disadvantaged population living in Vanadzor, Lori region. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute visited Caritas Center for Single Elders and Disabled People in Vanadzor, Vanadzor Օrphanage and “Poqrik Ishkhan” social center. During the course of this project, 221 children and adult population were screened: 54 adults from Caritas Center for Single Elders and Disabled People, 52 children from Vanadzor Orphanage, 51 children from “Poqrik Ishkhan” social center and 64 family members of “Poqrik Ishkhan” social center. In August 2017, Meghrigian Institute will distribute 107 spectacles to those in need and will provide medications to 26 people diagnosed with eye diseases.
In June 2017, the staff of the Meghrigian Institute visited to Gyumri retirement home, which serves 160 older people. Overall, 126 people were screened. In August 2017, Meghrigian Institute will distribute 113 spectacles to those in need and will provide medications to 15 people diagnosed with eye diseases.