WDF Aravind Diabetic Retinopathy project
World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), Denmark and Aravind Eye Hospital have joined hands to meet the need for developing a model, covering awareness creation, service delivery and training to deal with problems of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in the community. This project was commenced in 1st May 2003.

Advanced eye screening unit – Mobile Van

Mobile Clinic has VSAT antenna provided by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This antenna can be used for voice, data transmission and Video conferencing.
An Ophthalmic technician takes the retinal images of the diabetic paitents using a special digital fundus camera. The fundus (retinal) images are stored in a software - DRAGON (Diabetic Retinopathy Assessment & Grading Over Network) designed for this along with patients' demographic data.
	Video conferencing facility is also available by which the retina specialist at the base hospital can see and talk to the patient in the van directly.
	This data is then transmitted to the Reading and Grading Centre at the base hospital in Madurai.
	The Reading Centre at the base hospital in Madurai has multiple terminals to receive the images. The Grader grades by using the special software. The software supports the grader to elicit the severity level of Diabetic Retinopathy and suggests further management. This is verified by the Retina Specialist.
	The diagnosis and advice will be given in a report format and sent to the van.
	At the van this report is printed and given to the doctor/patient for further followup.