Harnessing Generalizable Real-World Ophthalmic Big Data: Descriptive Analysis of the Bodhya Eye Consortium Model for Collaborative Research

Abstract

Background: Recent advances in genomics and anthropology have confirmed that most Indian groups descend from a mixture of two genetically divergent populations: Ancestral North Indians (ANI) related to Central Asians, Middle Easterners, Caucasians, and Europeans; and Ancestral South Indians (ASI) not closely related to groups outside the Indian subcontinent. Studies of the north Indian populations are more generalizable to these aforementioned populations and thereby potentially have immense global health implications.Objective: This conglomeration of genomic heterogeneity is unique in the world to north India. Methods:We describe the development and successful implementation of a formalized consortium in north India with infrastructure incorporating standardized approach to patient data collection, clinical and research governance and checks and balances. Results:The volume of patients seen means that this data is not only big but also relatively rapidly acquired.Conclusions: Collaborative research from north Indian high-volume eyecare organizations provides an opportunity to harness this potentially invaluable generalizable data.