AECP Electronic Bulletin - 2012

electronic bulletin 2012 Activities and Events of 2012 •

On September 14 - 15, the 12th International Conference on Ophthalmology marked the launch of the new USAID/AECP project ‘’Center of Excellence for Prevention of Childhood Blindness’’ and summed up 20 years of AECP activities. This was a large scale international congress that gathered renowned experts in various fields of ophthalmology from the United States, Europe, and CIS countries.

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In 2012, the AECP carried out medical outreach activities in the following marzes of Armenia: Ararat - March/May, Vayots Dzor - June, Syunik - July, and Armavir - September/December. A separate medical mission visited Nagorno Karabakh in August. In 2013, the AECP medical mission will visit KotaykMarch/April; Tavush-May; Lori-June/July; ShirakAugust/September; and Aragatsotn-October/ November.

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The AECP marked the World Sight Day 2012 with a series of events.

IN THIS ISSUE AECP and Orange Foundation Program for Armenian Regions

The 12th International Conference on Ophthalmology

Celebrating World Sight Day 2012 in Armenia

Main results achieved (2003 - December, 2012 ): • • • • • • •

People screened - 318,580 (including 133,813 children) Detailed examination on the MEH - 33,698 Surgeries/lasers - 15,729 Eyeglasses - 53,384 Trained health care providers - 2,000 (including 61 regional ophthalmologists and 37 ophthalmic nurses) Public education handouts distributed - 514,156 Public education classes - 432 for 10,300 children and 900 parents and health activists.

Core Indicators on Eye Health and Prevalence of Eye Diseases among the Armenian Population.

National Program of Retinopathy of Prematurity (since 2010)

The AECP Participated in U.S. Embassy Charity Event in Kharberd.

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and more...

Infants screened – 1000 Lasers - 55 Contacts of the AECP Offices

Aygestan 5, house 7 Yerevan, Armenia Phone (374 10) 55 90 68 Fax (374 10) 57 76 94 aecp@aecp.am

P.O. box 5630 Newport Beach, CA 92662, USA Phone: 949.675.5767 Fax: 949 673.2356 aecp@eyecareproject.com

www.aecp.am www.eyecareproject.com

Founded in 1992 in the United States by an Armenian-American ophthalmologist Roger Ohanesian, M.D., the Armenian EyeCare Project (AECP) is a California based nonprofit corporation dedicated to the elimination of preventable blindness in Armenia. In 2003, the AECP established an office in Yerevan and launched its program “Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes.” The Initiative has five comprehensive, integrated components developed to eliminate preventable blindness. They include direct patient care, medical education and training, public education, research and capacity building. . The Mobile Eye Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility, travels country-wide to provide high quality eye care in the regions of Armenia.

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AECP Electronic Bulletin I 2012

The 12th International Conference on Ophthalmology

The 12th International Conference on Ophthalmology marked the launch of the new USAID/AECP project ‘’Center of Excellence for Prevention of Childhood Blindness’’ and summed up 20 years of AECP activities.

The two-day conference began on September 14 in Yerevan, with the participation of representatives from the Government of Armenia, Ministry of Health, U.S. Embassy and USAID, embassies and non-governmental organizations.

U.S. Ambassador John A. Heffern and Armenian Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan welcomed the participants of the event.

The conference brought together renowned experts of various fields of ophthalmology from Armenia, the United States, Europe, and CIS countries to foster a vigorous exchange of information and knowledge in various specialties related to eye care.

The conference was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of USAID, AECP, the Ministry of Health, and Gebauer Stiftung, a Swiss charity foundation.

Prevention of childhood blindness through combating Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and the official launch of USAID/AECP project “Center of Excellence for Prevention of Childhood Blindness (CEPCB)” were the main topics of the first day of the conference.

“The AECP has the exciting opportunity to be the first in the region to establish and develop this Center of Excellence, which I believe will be as successful as all the programs initiated by the AECP and its partners during already twenty years. The Center itself will function in one year, at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Institute of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yerevan, as decided preliminarily” said Roger Ohanesian, the AECP President.

Initially, the project will focus on childhood blindness caused by ROP and related eye diseases.

This goal will be achieved by strengthening quality newborn care service provision in Armenia and encouraging regional cooperation.

Day two of the conference concentrated on the activities of the AECP in the past 20 years, and the advances made in eye care thanks to fruitful cooperation of Armenian and American physicians, authorities and donors. Presenters highlighted AECP countrywide program, with its Mobile Eye Hospital, as well as practical and scientific studies and achievements.

The AECP published a 20 Years Anniversary brochure “Highlights – 20 Years Bringing Hope & Sight” which may be accessed at www.aecp.am

Dr. Thomas Lee, the U.S. mentor of the AECP ROP program, showing an advanced online surgery monitoring method. On the photo, the doctors standing in the conference hall and watching remotely a live surgery running at the Malayan Ophthalmological Center This new feature will substantially enhance the telemedicine program currently being performed among the U.S. and Armenian doctors.

Celebrating World Sight Day 2012 in Armenia

The AECP, with the support of the Ministry of Health of Armenia and USAID/Armenia, and in collaboration with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and the Art & Sports Center of Arabkir, organized a series of events in October 2012 to mark the World Sight Day (WSD) – an international day of awareness, held annually on the second Thursday of October in over 100 countries. The purpose of this observance was to raise the issues of avoidable blindness and visual impairment on the global stage. ”Within the framework of the recently launched USAID-AECP program– “Center of Excellence for Prevention of Childhood Blindness”– the AECP theme for World Sight Day 2012 is ‘’Bringing Sight to Children’s Eyes’’ to highlight issues of prevention of childhood blindness,’’ announced AECP Country Director Nune Yeghiazaryan.

WSD 2012 events in Armenia were launched on October 11. The AECP medical team conducted free eye screening for elderly people in Hatsik village, Armavir province, followed by a surprise dance performance for village residents. The students of the Art & Sports Center of Arabkir, invited by the AECP from Yerevan, performed a flash-mob at the village school, inviting everyone to dance . Flyers with WSD messages and eye care information were distributed to people after the event.

On October 13, AECP fellow Lilit Mkrtchyan

conducted eye screenings at #14 Specialized School of Yerevan for children with low vision.

The same day, the AECP team joined the charity campaign of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia in Lukashin village (Armavir) where volunteers painted windows of the local public school, which was in need of refurbishment. The U.S. Embassy and the AECP staffs participated in the harvest festival, organized by the local school children.

The AECP doctors examined 136 elderly people, 12 of them were referred to the AECP Mobile Eye Hospital for a surgery or laser treatment, 52 will receive free eye glasses.

Two charity concerts at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall (1 Isahakyan Street, Yerevan) wrapped up the WSD events. On October 23, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (NCOA) performed a classical music program with Levon Chilingirian, a world famous violinist of Armenian origins, invited from the UK . Vahan Mardirossian, the principal conductor and artistic director of Caen Symphony Orchestra (France) and the NCOA presented another concert on October 25 with NCOA soloists. Funds raised at these events will support programs fighting childhood blindness in Armenia and the region.

2012 I AECP Electronic Bulletin 3

AECP and Orange Foundation Program for Armenian Regions

In the scope of the AECP and Orange Foundation program for free eye care services for residents of the Armenian regions Armavir was the last province (marz) scheduled to visit in 2012.

In 2011-2012, in six Armenian marzes – Aragatsotn, Shirak, Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Ararat, and Armavir, 23,364 adults and 5,783 children received free-of-charge high quality medical services, 3,055 residents received detailed examination on the AECP Mobile Eye Hospital (MEH), 1,900 out of them underwent surgeries and laser treatment, 10,939 people got eye glasses. The AECP conducted eye care public education classes for 1,944 children in 36 local schools.

The program results have considerably exceeded predefined targets. Overall, the financial participation of the Orange Foundation

in the AECP 2011-2012 activities was equivalent to 37,719,460 AMD. According to Nune Yeghiazaryan, the AECP Country Director: “The results we have now are the testimony that our partnership with Orange Foundation is gaining a considerable significance in the provision of eye care services to the Armenian population. The partnership with Orange is very much important for us, as it enables us to carry out larger scale of activities.

This is not a promo, this is an important initiative aimed at providing quality eye care services to people. On behalf of thousands people we thank Orange Foundation of and hope that our partnership will continue in the future.”

On November 21, Francis Gelibter, Chairman of the Board of the Orange Foundation visited the AECP Mobile Eye Hospital in Vagharashapat. He

learned about the work done on the MEH, saw the lasers and the surgical equipment, witnessed eye screening and surgeries, talked to the patients, and shared their impressions.

Mr. Gelibter said: “Armavir is the sixth region we have visited with the Armenian Eye Care Project.

Together we managed to help many people to regain their eye sight. As a responsible company enrolled in the economic, social and cultural life of the country, we are happy to note that our partnership will continue in other regions, as we realize that we are bringing real change to peoples’ lives.”

Core Indicators on Eye Health and Prevalence of Eye Diseases among the Armenian Population The AECP continues its scientific research and the analysis of the data collected during the eye screenings in Armenia.

The results develop several core indicators on the eye health and the prevalence of the eye diseases in the country.

According to the AECP estimates, 13% of the adults in Armenia have at least one eye disease causing blindness. These are most widespread among the people above 50. In this age group almost four out of every ten people have at least one eye disease causing blindness.

Cataract is the most widespread - almost 73% of 50+ population with eye diseases suffer from it.

The highest prevalence levels of the eye diseases causing blindness are identified in Ararat, Armavir and Aragatsotn regions of Armenia.

Prevalence of eye diseases causing blindness in the regions of Armenia for the population of 50+ Source: AECP database

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AECP Electronic Bulletin I 2012

Burn's Committee Donations Help Armenian Infants

Charity Event in Kharberd with U.S. Embassy

The AECP is proud to partner with the Burn’s Committee, being able to help many people in need.

In 2009, the Committee contributed to the works of the AECP at the Mobile Eye Hospital in Tavush region.

In 2010, the Committee donated for purchasing a diode laser for the treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Armenia. Thanks to this laser, over 50 children have been saved from a lifetime blindness.

The development of the AECP’s National ROP Program showed that the prevention of the ROP disease had great deal to do with the control of the oxygen supply to prematurely born infants at their rehabilitation stage. For this reason, in 2011, the AECP conducted special equipment needs assessment at all Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of Yerevan and Gyumri.

Pulse-oxymeters were identified among the most needed devices.

According to Dr. Hrant Kalenteryan, RA Chief Neonatologist, “This is one of the most important devices controlling the oxygen density in the infant’s blood. It has a fundamental role in preventing the child from excessive oxygen, one of the major factors causing ROP,” he said.

The AECP’s next step was applying for funding to the Burns Committee with the request to sponsor the purchase of pulse-oxymeters for the Armenian NICUs. The application was successful, and the Burns Committee released necessary grants with two shifts – 4,000 and 5,000 USD. Through in-kind contributions the AECP doubled the provided funds and purchased 14 pulse-oxymeters. Currently, 11 pulse-oxymeters are already provided to several medical centers. The rest three will find their destinations soon.

The AECP Wins at U.S.Armenia Relations 20th Anniversary Photo Contest

This photo took its place on the winners’ board.

Dr. Anthony Aldave (UCLA) examining a patient. Dr. Aldave is among the volunteers who arrive every year from the U.S. to Armenia with the AECP medical mission and perform free-of-charge treatment and surgeries.

In January 2012, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia announced a photo contest dedicated to 20 years of U.S.-Armenia relations. The photos were to express various episodes of cooperation between two countries.

The AECP was among ten winner-organizations.

All the winners received certificates from the U.S. Ambassador John Heffern and his wife.

On June 16, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, and his wife, Libby Heffern, joined over 30 employees of the U.S. Mission to Armenia at the Specialized Children’s Home of New Kharberd and assisted with healthcare services and site cleaning works.

The Armenian EyeCare Project gladly joined this initiative and arranged eye screenings for children and provided eye care public education sessions for medical personnel at the Children’s Home.

AECP doctors examined 31 children who were preliminarily detected as having problems with eyesight. Out of them, eight children were diagnosed with eye problems, including low vision and refraction.

Following the screening, Dr. Astghik Kyureghyan conducted a public education session for the local medical personnel. The session reflected on the basics of eye care and blindness prevention, emergency activities in cases with eye traumas, and the description of main eye diseases. The AECP worked closely with the U.S. Embassy medical staff who shared their knowledge in general medical practice meeting the local medical personnel.

Two other groups of the U.S. Embassy staff cleaned up the territory, cut the grass in the backyards and the gardens of the Children’s Home and painted benches into joyful colors.

The Director of the Children’s Home, Mr. Harutyun Balasanyan said: “This is not the first time the U.S. Embassy employees visit us. During the service of the previous Ambassador the Embassy people were here for two more times with respective medical and other assistance. All the work done by the Ambassador and his colleagues is highly appreciated and much needed for the orphanage. I would like to express my special thanks to the AECP as well for conducting at the highest quality level the eye screenings and the eye care classes for us.”

Ambassador John Heffern said, “We are excited to be here. These 280 children have serious disabilities and serious needs. So, anything we can do to help these kids is a good thing. Also, we have a great partner in the EyeCare Center. Several eye doctors were here, they examined a number of children, found some eye problems, and they will come back to fix them. I think everything went very well today.”

“We are pleased that we were able to help children in the New Kharberd Children’s Home and be part of the U.S. Ambassador’s Initiative. I believe such events inspire others as well to help those who are in need. We will follow up on the children that were identified with eye problems and provide eyeglasses,” said Nune Yeghiazaryan, AECP Country Director.

On June 27 - 29, the AECP visited the Children’s home of New Kharberd already with the follow up mission. The children, who were identified with eye problems at the previous visit, underwent detailed examination once again.

The AECP doctor Dr. Astghik Kyureghyan prescribed eye glasses and antispasmodic treatment.