In conformity with the goal to reduce prevalence of blindness from 1 per cent to 0.3 per cent of population by 2020 under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), the State Health and Family Welfare department has taken up various activities.
In 2012-13(up to 3rd quarter), 73,521 cataract surgeries were done in Government and NGO sector by trained eye surgeons out of which more than 99 were micro surgery. Free corrective glasses were provided to the operated patients as per need.
Similarly, 342,152 school children were screened in 2012-13 among whom 20,949 refractive cases were detected and 7,963 pairs of free spectacles were distributed. School eye screening programme is carried out by PMOAs posted in blocks and also by eye specialists at sub divisional and district headquarters hospitals (SDH/DHH). Children having defective vision detected by basic health workers in biannual screening programme are examined and referred to eye specialists in SDH/DHH whenever needed for better treatment.
Eye donation activities are gradually improving in our State due to extensive community awareness activities done at State and district level and also due to good co-ordination and remuneration to NGOs. About 402 eyes were collected and 306 eyes were transplanted in 2012-13.
About 166 Vision Centres were approved and planned to be established in CHCs where eye unit is not present. These will be functionalized to enhance eye service in rural areas. The Tele-Ophthalmology Network is in final stage at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Brahmapur to provide specialist and super specialist eye care service at door step in remote areas. It can also solve the problems of shortage of ophthalmologists. Establishment of a Retina Centre is in the process at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar.
The Eye Bank at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack has been funded with an amount of `15 lakh. Sophisticated instruments like Microscope, Phaco unit, A-Scan have been supplied to districts and medical colleges for providing quality surgery to the patients. Slit
lamp and Yaglaser procurement is in process which will be provided to SDH/DHH. Eight contractual ophthalmic assistants have been posted in already established vision centres in 2012-13. 40 posts of contractual ophthalmic assistants have been approved to be posted in DHH/ MCH to improve eye care service. Five Eye Donation Counsellors have been posted in Eye Donation Centres established at Ganjam, Khurda and
Sambalpur for carrying out eye donation activities, whereas 27 ophthalmic surgeons have been sent inside and outside the State for training in sub- specialty in micro surgery like Phaco, Glaucoma, SICS, ECCE, Oculoplasty surgery and Retina. From August 25 to September 8 every year Eye Donation Fortnight is being organized in the districts having eye banks to enhance eye
donation activity and spread public awareness in the community. World Sight Day (2nd Thursday of October and the full month of October) is being observed at State and district level.
Eye care like eye testing and refractive error detection, protection of eye from various types of injuries and other themes on maintenance of occular health and restoration of good vision is being circulated amongst public.