Tilganga Eye Centre
For sustained, long-term eye care in the developing world
Homebase to the Himalayan Cataract Project, the Tilganga Eye Centre, based in Kathmandu, has played a significant role in the dramatic improvement in eye care in Nepal since 1994. Since then it has set a new standard for delivering outstanding eye care in the developing world based on its high quality, affordable services and medical education programs.
Tilganga is known for excellent and affordable eye care services, training programs for ophthalmologists and ophthalmic assistants, high-volume, high-quality outreach work, The Fred Hollows Intraocular Lens Factory, and the region’s first Eye Bank. Tilganga and the HCP support ophthalmic practices in numerous hospitals throughout Nepal, as well as facilities in northern India, China, Tibet and Bhutan. By restoring sight to tens of thousands of people each year, Tilganga makes enormous contributions to the quality of individual and community life throughout the Himalaya.
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
In April 2010, Himalayan Cataract Project representatives joined colleagues in Nepal to celebrate the inauguration of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, a base for developing surgical skills and perfecting eye care delivery systems for Asia and the developing world. Tilganga is developing into a center of excellence in eye care providing a full range of services in the region and training programs for teams of providers from throughout the developing world. The expanded facility is designed to handle an increased patient load and educational opportunities in hospital and non hospital clinical care. HCP continues to work with Tilganga and a range of key partners on transitional plans for management and long-term sustainability.
HCP & Tilganga to Develop Refractive Surgery Program
USAID-ASHA has agreed to provide a $700,000 grant towards our $1.1 million refractive surgery center at Tilganga — a key to cost recovery and an important step in developing a successful model for addressing refractive error in the developing world. HCP will be working with London Vision Clinic and Medical Eye Center in Oregon on the refractive program at Tilganga.
Child Blindness Project
Through A2Z, the USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project, HCP is supporting expanded pediatric services at Tilganga and throughout Nepal. The project aims to deliver high quality eye care and to train personnel to screen, treat and refer as necessary. In 2009, over 337,000 children were screened for
eye disease, over 10,800 children treated for refractive error and over 900 surgeries were provided. Over 450 community volunteers and health post managers from rural districts were trained to recognize childhood eye disease.
Making an Impact in Nepal
Tilganga Eye Centre has had an increasing impact on the eye care of residents of Nepal. More than 136,000 eye surgeries have been performed and more than 1,995,000 Nepalese have been screened.
