Smart Screening Using Peek Technology For Safer Highways: SIOVS and CBM lead the way

In a significant step toward road safety and inclusive public health, the Sindh Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (SIOVS), with support from CBM (Christian Blind Mission), has introduced an innovation in eye care programmes in Pakistan by implementing technology-led initiative for eye screening,  Dispensing Spectacles and cataract surgery  of heavy vehicle drivers. This collaborative effort reflects an intersection of healthcare innovation, road safety advocacy, and systems leadership in vision care.

Importantly, SIOVS is the first institute in Pakistan to adopt this technology-driven approach for heavy vehicle driver vision screening, setting a national benchmark for integrating eye health with occupational safety.

Heavy vehicle drivers are a critical yet underserved group in public health, particularly in eye care. Recognizing this gap, the Sindh Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (SIOVS), initiated a targeted vision screening program in 2023. The pilot was conducted in collaboration with the National Highway Authority (NHA) at the Hyderabad Toll Plaza. Building on its success, regular screenings were officially launched in April 2025 at the District Matiari in the office of the National Highway Authority Matiari.

1,903 drivers were screened. The findings were striking:

• 15% had found Positive,
• 7% showed signs of mature cataracts,
• 2% were identified with glaucoma,
• 39% had other eye conditions,
• And many had never undergone an eye examination before.

Given drivers’ crucial role in road safety, these findings underscored the urgent need for accessible and regular eye care services within the transport sector. The initiative not only uncovered hidden visual impairments but also enhanced awareness and follow-up compliance through digital tracking and SMS reminders. This model offers a scalable, policy-relevant approach to integrating eye health into occupational health and road safety programs.

Why Focus on Heavy Vehicle Drivers?

Heavy vehicle drivers bear the responsibility of transporting goods and people across long, often demanding routes. Yet, they are among the most underserved populations in terms of routine eye care. Unaddressed refractive errors, cataracts, and other common eye conditions can significantly impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents. Preliminary findings from the pilot screenings revealed that over 60% of heavy vehicle drivers had uncorrected refractive errors, while a significant number showed early signs of cataracts. These conditions often go unnoticed due to lack of access, time, or awareness. These results underscore the urgent need to integrate routine eye screening into transport sector health services.

Recognizing this gap, SIOVS, a leading tertiary eye care and teaching institute in Sindh, Pakistan, has taken a proactive approach to integrate eye screening into transport sector health interventions.

The Role of Technology

This initiative leverages digital vision screening tools and portable eye examination equipment, enabling outreach teams to conduct on-site screenings at truck stops, bus terminals, and depots. Using mobile health (mHealth) platforms, data is securely collected and analyzed in real time, streamlining referrals for those who require follow-up care at SIOVS or partner eye care centers.

Key components of the technology-led screening model include:

• Peek Capture App with an embedded V/A Test: clinically validated smartphone-based tool that tests visual acuity with high precision, even in bright outdoor environments—perfect for roadside and depot screenings.
• Real-Time Data Collection and Reporting: Field workers use the app to capture screening results, demographic information, and referral decisions instantly, minimizing paperwork and ensuring real-time analysis.
• Automated Referral Pathways: Individuals who fail the visual acuity test are automatically referred to Optometrist for Refraction and further diagnosis or the main SIOVS hospital. Follow-up is tracked digitally to ensure no patient is left behind.
• Remote Monitoring and Supervision: IT Lead can remotely monitor screening performance, identify quality issues, and provide real-time feedback to field teams.
• Mobile Messaging: SMS alerts keep drivers informed of follow-up dates, spectacle collection points, and surgery appointments—improving compliance and continuity of care.

Referral Points and Service Delivery Model for Drivers

To ensure seamless, accessible, and driver-friendly service delivery, SIOVS has established a comprehensive referral and care pathway tailored to the unique mobility and time constraints of heavy vehicle operators:

1. Primary Screening Sites

• Location: Office of the National Highway, District Matiari
• Screening Method: Conducted by trained field teams using Peek Technology via mobile devices.

2. On-Site Refraction Services

• Immediate Access: Drivers identified with refractive errors are referred to optometrists available at the same location.
• Spectacle Dispensing: Prescription glasses are either:
  • Dispensed immediately on-site, or
  • Made available within a few days at designated collection counters at the National Highway office.

3. Secondary and Tertiary Referral

• Advanced Care: Drivers requiring further evaluation for conditions like cataracts or glaucoma are:
  • Referred to the main SIOVS Hospital in Hyderabad, or
  • Directed to partner eye care facilities conveniently located along their travel routes.

4. Follow-Up and Tracking

• Digital Registration: Each driver is registered with a unique Peek ID.
• SMS Notifications: Automated reminders are sent for:
  • Refraction appointments
  • Spectacle collection
  • Surgery scheduling and post-operative follow-ups
• Field Team Support: Periodic follow-up visits are conducted to track and support drivers who miss their scheduled appointments.

Outcome:

This multi-tiered service delivery model ensures that no driver is left behind, enhancing accessibility, compliance, and continuity of care — all without disrupting drivers’ work schedules.

Systems Leadership and Collaboration

hat makes this initiative exemplary is its systems-based approach. It goes beyond clinical care to advocate for policy-level integration of eye health in transport regulations. Workshops with transport unions, awareness campaigns, and driver education modules are part of a multi-tiered strategy.

Early Results and Future Vision

Since its pilot launch, the program has screened hundreds of drivers, identifying a high prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors and early cataract cases. More importantly, it has begun to change perceptions—about the importance of vision in transport safety.

Looking ahead, SIOVS aims to scale this initiative across Sindh and beyond, embedding it within national occupational health and road safety programs.

Conclusion

At its core, this initiative is a bold reminder that good vision isn’t just a health issue—it’s a public safety imperative. “SIOVS is the first institute in Pakistan to initiate smart screening for long vehicle drivers, in collaboration with CBM.”