NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR CONTROL OF BLINDNESS & VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Department of Health Services, Government of Arunachal Pradesh

Introduction

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%.

Rapid Survey on Avoidable Blindness conducted during 2006-07 showed reduction in prevalence of blindness from 1.1% to 1%.

In 2017, the programme was renamed as National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).

8

Dedicated Eye Units

36

Vision Centres

12

Eye Surgeons

54

CHCs

Major Causes of Blindness

Sl. No.	Cause	Percentage
1	Cataract	62.6%
2	Refractive Error	19.70%
3	Corneal Blindness	0.90%
4	Glaucoma	5.80%
5	Surgical Complication	1.20%
6	Posterior Segment Disorder	4.70%

Objectives

Reduce backlog of blindness through treatment and identification.
Strengthen comprehensive eye care services.
Develop infrastructure and human resources.
Promote awareness and preventive measures.
Increase research for prevention of blindness.
Encourage NGO and private sector participation.

Activities

Free Cataract Operations
School Eye Screening Programme
Free Spectacles Distribution
Glaucoma Screening
Eye Donation Awareness

Training of Medical Officers & ANMs
IEC/BCC Awareness Campaigns
Vision Centres Development
Mobile Eye Screening Camps
Infrastructure Strengthening

Eye Care Health Facilities

Facility	Number
General Hospitals	6
District Hospitals	11
Dedicated Eye Units	8
Vision Centres	36
CHCs	54
PHCs	127
Sub-Centres	472

Ophthalmic Manpower

12 Eye Surgeons

37 Regular Assistants

6 Contractual Assistants

4 Counsellors