India observes Prevention of Blindness Week every year from April 1 to April 7, highlighting urgent need for vision care and public awareness around preventable blindness. This national initiative focuses on encouraging regular eye check-ups, spreading awareness on eye health, and promoting policies and practices to reduce avoidable visual impairments.
History & Background
Founded: The week-long observance was initiated by the Government of India in collaboration with the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (NSPB).
Established: 1960 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 by Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, India’s first Health Minister.
Key Partners:
- Sight Savers International
- Rotary International
- WHO and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- AIIMS and other national eye institutes
Objective of Week
- Raise public awareness on causes of avoidable blindness.
- Educate people on eye diseases, early detection, and preventive care.
- Conduct nationwide screening camps, free eye check-ups, and distribution of spectacles.
- Promote healthy lifestyle habits to prevent visual impairment.
- Address eye health issues especially in rural, tribal, and underserved regions.
Why It Matters: India & Blindness
India is considered the “Blind Capital of the World”, accounting for:
- 20% of the world’s blind population
- The highest number of blind children in any single country.
Major Causes of Blindness in India: Cataract (most common and treatable); Glaucoma; Refractive errors; Diabetic retinopathy; Vitamin A deficiency; Corneal opacity; Trachoma and other infections. Majority of cases are preventable or treatable with timely care.
Major Initiatives Under Prevention of Blindness Week
- Nationwide Eye Screening Camps
- Free Cataract Surgeries for economically weaker sections
- School Eye Health Programs
- Rural outreach for vision correction
- Training of Ophthalmic Assistants and Volunteers
India’s Ongoing Eye Health Programs
- National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI)
– Launched in 1976, revamped to tackle new age vision challenges
– Focus on cataract surgeries, school screening, and public-private partnerships - Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission & eSanjeevani – Integrated with tele-ophthalmology services in remote areas