Introduction :: Blindness Control

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Introduction

Magnitude of Blindness

NPCB in Gujarat

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Blindness Control

Introduction

Blindness is a major public health problem in most developing countries where eye care facilities are still limited. Cataract is the leading cause, accounting for 50% to 70 % of total blindness.

India was the first country in the world to launch blindness prevention related programme as early as 1963 i.e. National Programme for tTrachoma Control. After few changes in the names, this programme has been redesignated since 1976 as "National Programme for Control of Blindness" (NPCB) .In Gujarat NPCB is active since1978.

Policy

One of the basic human rights is the ‘Right to See’. We have to ensure that no citizen goes blind, or if blind, he/she does not remain so. By reasonable deployment of skills and resources, one’s sight can be prevented from deteriorating, or if already lost , can be restored.

Aim

Substantial reduction in the prevalence rate of blindness from 1.06 % to 0.3 % .

Objectives

Increase Cataract Operation Performance with priority to bilateral cataract blind patients.
Base Hospital approach. (Institutional surgery only)
Strengthening Dist. Hospitals providing equipments, separate ward, operation theaters and OPD facilities.
Active involvement of NGOs linking with districts hospitals.
Development of permanent eye care centers at CHCs, providing Operative Microscope, diagnostic and operative equipments.
Mobile Units at medical colleges and dist. hospitals to be effectively utilized.

Revised Strategies

Improvement in MIS.
DBCS in all districts.
Base hospital approach.
Coordination of Govt. NGOs and Private sector.

Minimum Standards for Cataract Surgery

50 operation/bed/year.
700 operation/surgeon/year.
1500 operation/|DMU/year.
3000 operation/CMU/year.
200 operation/lakh population/year.
Beneficiary assessment.