Early diagnosis of eye conditions in babies and young children can make a life-changing difference. When problems are identified early, treatment is often more effective – helping to protect vision, preserve eyes, and in some cases, even save lives.
This is particularly important for conditions such as childhood cataract and retinoblastoma, where delays in diagnosis can lead to poorer outcomes. Spotting the signs early can truly change the course of a child’s future.
Arclight Project is proud to be working alongside the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad as part of a Tata Trusts-supported initiative. Together, we aim to equip frontline health workers with the skills and tools they need to recognise serious eye conditions early and ensure children are referred promptly for specialist care.
Why this matters
Many children with serious eye conditions first come into contact with community health workers, primary care staff, or maternal and child health teams. These non-specialist providers are often the first point of care – and with the right training, they can play a crucial role in early detection.
This is especially important for:
Childhood cataract
Cataracts developing in infancy or early childhood can have a lasting impact on vision if not treated quickly. Early detection opens the door to timely intervention and better outcomes.
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a rare but life-threatening childhood eye cancer. Early recognition and urgent referral can improve survival, increase the chances of saving the eye and vision, and reduce the need for intensive treatment.
Healthcare workers training with Arclight and simulation tools to identify childhood eye conditions
The role of Arclight
The Arclight is a simple, portable and affordable ophthalmoscope designed for use in a wide range of settings – from teaching and outreach to primary care clinics and low-resource environments. Its practicality and ease of use make it particularly well suited to frontline healthcare.
As part of this project, the Arclight is being used to support the training of general healthcare workers to examine babies and children. The focus is on helping them recognise early warning signs of serious conditions such as cataract and retinoblastoma, and to refer appropriately within the eye care system.
Importantly, the goal is not to turn them into specialists, but to give them the confidence and skills to act early when it matters most.
Learning from LVPEI’s eye care network
Inside LVPEI hospital in Hyderabad
Dr Andrew Blaikie spent a week in Hyderabad working with the LVPEI team, delivering train-the-trainer workshops and learning from their highly effective eye care pyramid model – which spans from primary eye care centres through to advanced quaternary eye care services.
This integrated system demonstrates how strong frontline training can lead to earlier identification and seamless referrals across the wider eye care network.
The workshops focused on practical examination skills that would enable participants to identify early signs of serious eye disease. Simulation eyes were used to provide structured, hands-on practice, alongside real clinical application and assessment.
Trainees using Arclight devices to practise eye examinations during LVPEI workshop
Participants were also given access to digital learning resources, helping to reinforce knowledge beyond the classroom. This combination of practical teaching, simulation, and online learning creates a training approach that is both effective and scalable.
Why partnership matters
This collaboration brings together the strengths of both organisations: LVPEI’s extensive expertise in delivering and scaling eye care services, and Arclight’s innovative tools, teaching methods, and simulation-based training.
Together, we are creating more opportunities to detect eye conditions earlier, ensure appropriate referrals, and ultimately improve outcomes for children and their families.
Looking ahead
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to practical, sustainable solutions that strengthen childhood eye care where it is needed the most.
We are grateful to Tata Trusts for their support, and to the LVPEI team for their leadership, collaboration, and dedication to improving child eye health.
We look forward to seeing how the insights from this work can shape future training and service delivery in India and beyond.