In collaboration with the AMDA Multisectoral & Integrated Development Services *¹ and the en Vision *², Chugai provides support for a project that focuses on the early detection and education of eye diseases by providing ophthalmological examinations using smartphone-wearable ophthalmic medical devices in Cambodia, where the shortage of ophthalmologists in local communities has become a problem.

Background of the project
The prevalence of blindness in Cambodia is estimated to be 0.37% in the general population and 2.5% in the population aged 50 years or older. The number of people with blindness is expected to increase in the future due to population growth, advanced aging, and extended life expectancy. Moreover, 92.2% of causes of blindness are preventable, of which 80.9% are treatable and 11.3% are preventable. Nevertheless, approximately 60% of ophthalmologists are concentrated in the capital city of Phnom Penh, and the rest of the country has a significant shortage of ophthalmologists. The number of ophthalmologists is 5.12 per 1 million people, about half of the 10 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Against this background, ophthalmological examinations utilizing a remote examination system are being sought in Cambodia. *³

Project Details
With Kandar Province in the Kingdom of Cambodia as the candidate site, various preparations will be made for the implementation of ophthalmological examinations at first. Ophthalmologic examinations will be initiated in coordination with local medical support staff, ophthalmologists, medical institutions, etc. in corporation with the determination of the target region. Visual acuity test, anterior segment test, refraction test, and eye position test are assumed as test items at this point in time.

The telemedicine will be conducted according to the following procedure.
1. Medical support staff perform ophthalmologic examination and share data with ophthalmologist
2. The shared case is adjudicated by the ophthalmologist and communicated to the medical support staff
3. Feedback the results to residents
4. Encourage patients requiring treatment to visit an ophthalmic medical institution, etc.

In 2023, we set a goal to conduct eye examinations for up to 150 people aged 20 years or older. As a result, we will work to enhance access to ophthalmology care for Cambodian by further expanding the content of testing, implementing educational activities for stakeholders including residents, and strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Medical Institutions.

*1;　AMDA Organization for Social Development
　　https://www.amda-minds.org/

*2;　en Vision
　　https://www.envision.or.jp/blank-1

*3;  JICA Ophthalmic Remote Diagnostic Service
　　https://libopac.jica.go.jp/images/report/1000048533.pdf