Situation of Blindness in India

India is now home to the world's largest number of blind people. Of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind, over 15 million are from India. 75% of these are cases of avoidable blindness. This is because of the acute shortage of optometrists and donated eyes for the treatment of corneal blindness. While India needs 40,000 optometrists, it has only 8,000. While India needs 250,000 donated eyes every year, the country's 109 eye banks manage to collect a maximum of just 25,000 eyes, 30% of which can't be used. Epidemiology The blind population in India is estimated to rise to 15 million by the year 2020. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in India while refraction error and glaucoma are the second and third leading causes of blindness respectively in India. In India since trachoma is limited, onchocerciasis is non-existent; glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and corneal diseases form priorities. CAUSE FOR BLINDNESS PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTION Cataract 62.6% Refraction Error 19.7% Glaucoma 5.8% Corneal pathologies 0.9% Surgical complication 1.2% Posterior Segment Disorder 4.8% Other Causes 5.0% Prevention and Control National Program for Control of Blindness was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% Centrally Sponsored scheme with the goal to reduce the prevalence of blindness from 1.4% to 0.3%. As per Survey in 2001-02, prevalence of blindness is estimated to be 1.1%. Rapid Survey on Avoidable Blindness conducted under NPCB during 2006-07 showed reduction in the prevalence of blindness from 1.1% (2001-02) to 1% (2006-07). The main focus of the program is • To reduce the backlog of blindness through identification and treatment of blind at primary, secondary and tertiary levels based on assessment of the overall burden of visual impairment in the country. • Develop and strengthen the strategy of NPCB for “Eye Health” and prevention of visual impairment through provision of comprehensive eye care services and quality service delivery. • • Strengthening the existing and developing additional human resources and infrastructure facilities for providing high quality comprehensive Eye Care in all Districts of the country. • to enhance community awareness on eye care and lay stress on preventive measures; • Increase and expand research for prevention of blindness and visual impairment. • to secure participation of Voluntary Organizations/Private Practitioners in eye Care Blindness is defined under following headings: Simple Definition: • Inability of a person to count fingers from a distance of 6 meters or 20 feet Technical Definition: • Vision 6/60 or less with the best possible spectacle correction • Diminution of field vision to 20 or less in better eye