Public Eye Health and Community Optometry
My lab predominantly focuses on epidemiological research on visual impairment, uncorrected refractive errors, and presbyopia. Visual impairment in vulnerable populations especially the elderly is another core area of research. Recent research work included elderly living in residential care investigated falls, fear of falling, visual function, multimorbidity, depression, dual sensory loss, and cognition resulting in a series of publications in peer-reviewed journals. I am a stronger believer that eye health can be used as an entry for holistic health care of the elderly for healthy aging. My current research is looking at various health issues and their mutual interactions among the community-dwelling elderly population.
Completed projects (Since 2019)
1. Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES) (2017-2020)
Funding: DBT/Wellcome India Alliance (Early Career Fellowship)
2. Akividu Visual Impairment Study (AVIS) (2019 - 2020)
Funding: HERF
3. Nirmal Eye Evaluation for Trends (NEET) study (2021 - 2022)
Finding: IHOPE through DBT India Alliance
4. Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment Project, Nagar Kurnool, Telangana (2023)
Finding: Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation (HERF). L V Prasad Eye Institute
5. Rapid Assessment of Refractive Errors in Koshi Province in Nepal (2022 - 2023)
Finding: OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation
6. Vision in Occupational Groups Eye Study (VOGES) (2019-2022)
Funding: Lion Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) – Sight First Research grant
7. Securing Sight for Seniors – Eye Health screening in homes for the aged as part of Gland Pharma proposal – (2022 – 2023) (Service delivery project)
Funding: Gland Pharma
Projects in the planning phase / ongoing (Funding received)
1. Longitudinal Eye Health Aging Disabilities Study (LEADS) (2023 – 2027)
Funding: DBT/Wellcome India Alliance (Intermediate fellowship)
2. Country-wide Rapid Assessment of Refractive Errors in Liberia
Funding: Lion Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) – Sight First Research grant
