Community-Based Eye Screening With Structured Referral Tracking for Preventing Avoidable Blindness in Adults in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
SIGHT
1 other identifier
interventional
500
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This cluster randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Structured Referral Tracking (SRT) intervention in improving referral completion among adults identified with avoidable blindness during community-based eye screening camps in Rawalpindi District, Pakistan. Ten community clusters will be randomized into intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group will receive structured referral counseling, weekly reminder calls or messages, and customized referral guidance for eight weeks, while the control group will receive standard referral procedures. The primary outcome is referral completion at a tertiary eye hospital within eight weeks after screening. Secondary outcomes include knowledge regarding avoidable blindness, treatment satisfaction, feasibility, acceptability, and barriers influencing referral completion.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Jun 2026
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 13, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 28, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
June 1, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2026
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 30, 2026
ExpectedJune 4, 2026
June 1, 2026
Same day
May 13, 2026
June 2, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Referral Completion Rate Verified Through Hospital Records
Proportion of referred participants who complete referral visits at the tertiary eye hospital, verified through hospital attendance records.
Within 8 weeks after community eye screening
Secondary Outcomes (3)
Knowledge Score on Avoidable Blindness Questionnaire
Baseline and 8 weeks after screening
Participant Acceptability of Structured Referral Tracking Assessed Using Structured Feedback Questionnaire
Within 8 weeks after screening
Barriers Influencing Referral Completion Assessed Using Structured Barrier Assessment Questionnaire
Within 8 weeks after screening
Other Outcomes (2)
Participant Treatment Satisfaction Score Using Structured Satisfaction Questionnaire
Within 8 weeks after screening
Feasibility of Structured Referral Tracking Assessed by Reminder Delivery and Follow-up Completion Rates
Within 8 weeks after screening
Study Arms (2)
Structured Referral Tracking (SRT)
EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive structured referral counseling, weekly reminder calls or messages, visual educational material, and customized referral guidance for eight weeks following community-based eye screening.
Standard Referral Procedure
NO INTERVENTIONParticipants will receive routine referral slips and standard counseling without structured follow-up or reminder communication.
Interventions
A multi-component referral tracking intervention including referral counseling, weekly reminder calls or mobile messages, visual educational material, and customized referral guidance to improve referral completion after community eye screening.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Adults aged 18 years or above
- Individuals diagnosed with visual impairment or eye conditions requiring referral to a tertiary eye care facility
- Permanent residents of Rawalpindi District, Pakistan
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
You may not qualify if:
- Individuals already undergoing treatment for the identified eye condition
- Individuals requiring emergency ophthalmic care
- Severe systemic or physical illness limiting follow-up
- Individuals unable to provide informed consent
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
ACCO Department, Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46600, Pakistan
Related Publications (3)
Harwood M, Cunningham W. Lessons from 2020 for equity in global eye health. Lancet Glob Health. 2021 Apr;9(4):e387-e388. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00036-X. Epub 2021 Feb 16. No abstract available.
PMID: 33607017BACKGROUNDWorld Health Organization. Blindness and visual impairment. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023
BACKGROUNDKhan AA, Talpur KI, Awan Z, Arteaga SL, Bolster NM, Katibeh M, Watts E, Bastawrous A. Improving equity, efficiency and adherence to referral in Pakistan's eye health programmes: Pre- and post-pandemic onset. Front Public Health. 2022 Jul 22;10:873192. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.873192. eCollection 2022.
PMID: 35937227RESULT
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Dr. Ahmad Abdullah, PHD
Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Masking Details
- Outcome assessors and data analysts will remain blinded to cluster allocation during data collection and statistical analysis. Intervention and control groups will be coded using neutral identifiers until completion of primary analysis.
- Purpose
- PREVENTION
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Dr. Khizar Nabeel
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 13, 2026
First Posted
May 28, 2026
Study Start
June 1, 2026
Primary Completion
June 1, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
November 30, 2026
Last Updated
June 4, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06