Grady and IRIS Provide Retinal Imaging on World Sight Day

Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems (IRIS), a leader in retinal screening technology, and Grady Health System partnered with Georgia Vision 2020 to provide retinal imaging to underserved patients for the fifth year. The annual event is the local organization's contribution to the global initiative World Sight Day.

IRIS, in partnership with Grady, has been part of Georgia Vision's annual World Sight Day initiative since the first event in 2017. Every year, IRIS sends a team equipped to perform retinal screenings. A licensed ophthalmologist immediately analyzes the images captured by the IRIS team and discusses any findings with the patient. When patients require treatment, IRIS provides a copy of their exam results and the Grady team facilitates the referral process to ensure patients receive the care they need quickly.

Around 100 people receive access to vision services each year through this event, about half of whom need glasses. 50-75% of attendees require retinal imaging; pathology is identified in more than 20% of those patients, and about 5% require a referral for surgery or vision-threatening disease.

"Our annual World Sight Day event gives us an opportunity to work together as a community to educate the public on vision problems and the need for routine eye care," said Dr. Jacquelyn O'Banion, co-founder of Georgia Vision 2020, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Global Ophthalmology at Grady. "During these events, we see how hard it is for our population to access eye services as most of the attendees have diabetes, glaucoma, and need glasses or referrals for potentially blinding disease. With IRIS and these events, we can provide a valuable service and hopefully shed light on potential eye disease and encourage people to get regular follow up."

World Sight Day is sponsored by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and increase access to care for those who need it most. In 2016, a network of non-profit eye care organizations in Georgia came together to address gaps in care, and Georgia Vision 2020 was formed. Every year, Georgia Vision 2020 hosts its own World Sight Day event to serve the local community in alignment with global efforts. Grady significantly contributes to this event by offering vision services at no cost to participants, including refraction, tonometry, new eyeglasses, and retinal screenings.

"I'm grateful for our partnership with Grady, which allows us to be part of this amazing event," said Morgan Pinder, Director of Client Success at IRIS. "It is so rewarding to witness the impact of these events first-hand."