DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES

National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment

National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI)

Introduction

 National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme (now 60:40 in all states and  90:10 in NE States) with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020.  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).

Prevalence rate of blindness and targets

·         Prevalence of Blindness - 1.1%. (Survey 2001-02 ).

·         Prevalence of Blindness - 1. %. (Survey 2006-07).

·         Current Survey (2015-18)  in progress. The projected rate of  prevalence of blindness is 0.45%.

·         Prevalence of Blindness target -  0.3% (by the year 2020).

Main Causes of blindness

            Cataract (62.6%) Refractive Error (19.70%) Corneal Blindness (0.90%), Glaucoma (5.80%), Surgical Complication (1.20%) Posterior Capsular Opacification (0.90%) Posterior Segment Disorder (4.70%), Others (4.19%) Estimated National Prevalence of Childhood Blindness /Low Vision is 0.80 per thousand.

Main objectives

·         To reduce the backlog of avoidable blindness through identification and treatment of curable 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 for All” and prevention of visual impairment; through provision of comprehensive universal eye-care services and quality service delivery;

·         Strengthening and up-gradation of Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIOs) to become centre of excellence in various sub-specialities of ophthalmology and also other partners like Medical College, District Hospitals, Sub-district Hospitals, Vision Centres, NGO Eye Hospitals; 

·         Strengthening the existing infrastructure facilities and developing additional human resources 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 delivering eye Care.

Targets and achievements during last 3 Years and Current Year.

Cataract operations

School Eye Screening Programme

Treatment/management of other eye diseases

(Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, childhood blindness, keratoplasty etc.)

Collection of donated Eyes for corneal transplantation

Note:-

1.      The figures of physical performance for the year 2017-18  are based on reports received from States/Uts upto 20.09.2017.

Best practices adopted under the programme:

·         To reach every nook and corner of the country to provide eye-care services, provision for setting up Multipurpose District Mobile Ophthalmic Units in the District Hospitals of States/UTs as a new initiative under the programme.  Few states have set up these Units.  There is a need to replicate the same by other States.

·         Provision for distribution of free spectacles to old persons suffering from presbyopia to enable them for undertaking near work as a new initiative under the programme.  The activity needs to be expedited in the all the States.

• Emphasis on the comprehensive eye-care coverage by covering diseases other than cataract like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, corneal transplantation, vitreo-retinal surgery, treatment of childhood blindness including retinopathy of pre-maturity (ROP) etc. These emerging diseases need immediate attention to eliminate avoidable blindness from the Country;
• Strengthening of Tertiary Eye-Care Centres by providing funds for purchase of sophisticated modern ophthalmic equipments.

·         Ensure setting up of superspecialty clinics for all major eye diseases including   diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity etc. in state level hospitals and medical colleges all over the country.

·         Linkage of tele-ophthalmology centres at PHC/Vision centres with superspecialty eye hospitals to ensure delivery of best possible diagnosis and treatment for eye diseases, specially in hilly terrains and difficult areas. 

·         Development of a network of eye banks and eye donation centres linked with medical colleges and RIOs to promote collection and timely utilization of donated eyes in a transparent manner.

Future plan

·         Setting up of more PHC/Vision Centres to broaden access of people to eye care facilities.

·         To extend financial support to NGOs for treatment of other  eye diseases like Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma Management, Laser Techniques, Corneal Transplantation, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Treatment of Childhood Blindness, free of cost to poor people.

·         Integration of existing ophthalmic surgical/ non-surgical facilities in each district, State by associating few units to next higher unit.

·         Inclusion of modern ophthalmic equipment in eye care facilities to make it more versatile to meet modern day requirement.

·         Upgradation of  software for Management Information System  for better implementation and monitoring  and monitoring.

·         Digitalization of eye care services – IEC messages, whats app. Groups for stakeholders etc.

·          Provision for setting up Multipurpose District Mobile Ophthalmic Units in District Hospitals for better coverage.

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