An interventional study of Structured Referral Tracking (SRT) in Cataract, Refractive Error and Diabetic Retinopathy, sponsored by Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-04.
Sponsored by Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
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.
Avoidable blindness remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan. Community-based eye screening camps are commonly used to identify individuals with visual impairment and eye diseases requiring treatment; however, referral completion to tertiary eye care facilities remains poor. Many patients fail to attend referral hospitals because of limited awareness, lack of follow-up, transportation barriers, and uncertainty regarding treatment procedures.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation 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.
The study will use a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Ten community clusters (union councils) from five tehsils of Rawalpindi District will be selected using multistage random sampling. Clusters will be randomized into intervention and control arms. Participants attending eye screening camps who are diagnosed with eye conditions requiring referral to a tertiary eye hospital will be enrolled after informed consent.
Participants in the intervention arm will receive a multi-component Structured Referral Tracking intervention consisting of referral counseling, weekly reminder calls or mobile messages, visual educational material, and customized referral guidance regarding hospital location, estimated costs, and required documents. Participants in the control arm will receive standard referral procedures consisting of routine counseling and referral slips without structured follow-up.
The primary outcome will be referral completion at the tertiary eye hospital within eight weeks after screening, verified through hospital attendance records. Secondary outcomes will include knowledge regarding avoidable blindness, treatment satisfaction, feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, and barriers influencing referral completion.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of structured referral tracking systems for improving eye care service utilization and reducing avoidable blindness in Pakistan.
1,629 studies on the registry are indexed under Cataract; 235 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 500 is above the median of 79 across 1,092 interventional studies indexed under Cataract.
Browse Cataract studies →Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan is the lead sponsor of 7 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
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Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants 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.
Behavioral: Structured Referral Tracking (SRT)
Participants will receive routine referral slips and standard counseling without structured follow-up or reminder communication.
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.
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.
Time frame: Within 8 weeks after community eye screening
Knowledge Score on Avoidable Blindness Questionnaire
Participant knowledge regarding avoidable blindness and eye health assessed using a structured questionnaire developed for the study.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after screening
Participant Acceptability of Structured Referral Tracking Assessed Using Structured Feedback Questionnaire
Participant acceptability of the Structured Referral Tracking intervention assessed using a structured feedback questionnaire regarding usefulness and satisfaction with reminder communication.
Time frame: Within 8 weeks after screening
Barriers Influencing Referral Completion Assessed Using Structured Barrier Assessment Questionnaire
Barriers and facilitators influencing referral completion assessed using a structured questionnaire among referred participants.
Time frame: Within 8 weeks after screening
Participant Treatment Satisfaction Score Using Structured Satisfaction Questionnaire
Participant-reported satisfaction regarding referral services and treatment received at the tertiary eye hospital assessed using a structured satisfaction questionnaire.
Time frame: Within 8 weeks after screening
Feasibility of Structured Referral Tracking Assessed by Reminder Delivery and Follow-up Completion Rates
Feasibility of the intervention assessed through successful delivery of reminder messages/calls and completion of scheduled follow-up procedures.
Time frame: Within 8 weeks after screening
Plan to share: Undecided — De-identified individual participant data underlying the published results may be shared upon reasonable request after publication of the primary study findings.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan