Introduction
National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) was launched in the year 1976 as a centrally sponsored scheme (now 60:40 in all States and 90:10 in NE States and hilly States) with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness. The programme continues to focus on development of comprehensive eye care services targeting common blinding disorders viz., Cataract, Refractive Errors, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Childhood Blindness, Corneal Blindness etc. to combat blindness and visual impairment in the country.
The goal to reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25% by 2025.
Scope of services
- Implementation and Monitoring of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).
- Technical evaluation of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) from States for implementation of programme in all the district of the country.
- Training of Eye Surgeons from Govt. Hospitals/Medical Colleges through the identified training centres.
- IEC activities through print (newspapers, magazines etc.) and electronic (TV, radio) media. Organization of various IEC events including Eye Donation Fortnight all over the country to promote eye donation for restore vision of corneal blind.
- Preparation of draft replies of Parliament Questions, questionnaires of Parliamentary Standing Committee, parliamentary assurances etc.
- RTI matters pertaining to NPCBVI.
- Strengthening of existing eye care infrastructure at Govt. Medical Colleges, District Hospitals and assistance for creation of new infrastructure for delivery of eye care services.
- Collection and maintenance of data on delivery of various eye care activities and services.
- Preparation of various periodic reports including Monthly summary/DO to Cabinet, Delivery Monitoring Unit of PMO etc.
- Attending other miscellaneous matters including court cases pertaining to NPCBVI.
Newer Initiatives/ Focus Areas
- To clear off cataract backlog in the country, mission mode campaign was launched in the FY 2022-23 to conduct 270 L cataract surgery in next three years.
- Award/incentives for cataract backlog free States/Districts: To clear backlog of Cataract, blind cases in a phased manner with emphasis on quality of surgery awards/incentives for achieving cataract blindness backlog free status in each district.
- NPCBVI plans to conduct a National Blindness & VI Survey to detect the latest blindness prevalence rate in the country.
- NPCBVI along with AIIMS has developed indigenous and cost effective Cornea storage media for the preservation of harvested corneas.
- Nation is in the final stages for being declared Trachoma eliminated in the FY 2024-25 under NPCBVI.
