Gvs Murthy
Current estimates of blindness in India
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur|All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal
background evidence based planning hallmark blindness control programme indiaa nationwide survey undertaken 19992001 document magnitude causes blindnessmethods one district 15 populous states covered25 clusters randomly selected district individuals aged 50 years enumeratedpresenting best corrected vision recorded using retroilluminated logmar tumbling e charts detailed eye examination offeredresults response rate 893presenting vision 660 better eye observed 85 95 ci 81 89age sex residence literacy working status associated blindnessthe highest risk among aged 70 illiteratecataract responsible 624 bilateral blindnessprevalence cataract blindness 53 95 ci 497 562reduction blindness prevalence among people aged 50 years observed compared earlier studiesconclusion blindness control efforts seem played part arresting increasing prevalence blindness india hope goals vision 2020right sight initiative achieved strong political prioritised action