5-Apr-2022: Update on National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment

National Programme for Control of Blindness was launched in 1976. From 2017 onwards, the programme was strengthened and expanded to cover all kinds of visual impairment as well. It was renamed as National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) and is implemented all over the country uniformly, with a goal of reducing the prevalence of avoidable blindness to 0.25% by the year 2025. Apart from cataract, refractive errors, corneal blindness and childhood blindness, the programme is equally focusing on other eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), age related macular degeneration etc. associated with life style diseases like diabetes and aging process. Preventive and curative eye care services are also provided through Ayushman Bharat-Health & Wellness Centres in the country.

In order to assess the programme, the “National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey” was carried out during 2015-19 which showed reduction in the prevalence of blindness from 1% (2007) to 0.36% (2019).

The programme is monitored at national level in consultation with the State Government. At States/UTs level to check the rising number of cases of blindness, functionaries from Panchayats, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) staff, ASHA workers, NGO and other voluntary groups like Mahila Mandals, are involved by the District Health Societies.