npcb.nic.in National Programme for Control of Blindness : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Organisation : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Facility : National Programme for Control of Blindness NPCB
Applicable For : Blind People
Website : http://npcb.nic.in/

NPCB

National Programme 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%.

Related : CGHS Book Appointment : www.statusin.in/26466.html

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).

Various activities/initiatives undertaken during the Five Year Plans under NPCB are targeted towards achieving the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by the year 2020.

Main causes of blindness are as follows :
** 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

Goals & Objectives :
** 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 and up-gradation of RIOs to become centre of excellence in various sub-specialities of ophthalmology

** 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

FAQs :
1. Facts about eye donation
** The eyes have to be removed within six hours of death. So the nearest eye bank or eye collection centre must be informed immediately irrespective of the initial pledging of eye donation.

** Eye removal takes only 10-15 minutes and leaves no scar or disfigurement of the face

** Only the cornea is transplanted for all practical purpose and not the entire eyeball. However, other part of eye is used for research and education purpose.

** Eye donation gives sight to two blind persons. One blind person is given one eye.

** The donated corneas are transplanted to patients eye who are waiting list in accordance with the priority based on guidelines to avoid malpractices.
** The eyes are never bought or sold. Eye donation is never refused

2. What is eye bank
Eye bank is an organization, which deals with the collection, storage and distribution of the donor eyes for the purpose of corneal grafting, research and supply of eye tissue for other ophthalmic purpose.

3. Who can donate eyes
Almost anyone at any age can pledge to donate eyes after “Death”. This can be done even if donor wear glasses, has cataract or has undergone eye surgery successfully

4. When was the fist eye bank established in India
In India, the first eye bank was established in 1945 at Madras [Chennai] and Dr. Dhanda of Indore carried the first successful corneal transplantation in 1960.