This unit was established in 2011, and its first research project was titled “Modeling a Telemedicine Screening Program for Diabetic Retinopathy in Iran and Implementing a Pilot Project in Tehran Suburb”. Recently, a similar pilot study was launched in Yazd through the collaboration of the following parties:

• • The Ministry of Health and Medical Education
  • The World Health Organization Country Office in Iran
  • The Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science
  • Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

In addition, a joint research project was conducted in collaboration with Arhus University, Denmark. The findings were published in the paper titled “Designing a Screening Program for Prevention of Avoidable Blindness in Iran through a Participatory Action Approach”.  In this study, community members susceptible to developing ocular disorders were identified and referred to specialized and subspecialized healthcare centers for follow-up. 

The activities of this center are defined based on the national strategies of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in addition to the international guidelines of the World Health Organization.