National programme for the control of blindness was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. The main goal of the programme is to reduce the massive burden of avoidable blindness due to cataract which the largest cause of blindness in the country, and therefore.
A tele - ophthalmology project was also launched in six states as a pilot project in 2006. After successful implementation of this project, it’s activities have been extended to fourteen other institutions in government and NGO sectors especially for underserved population and North Eastern States.
Despite overall development and improved socio-economic conditions in the last three decades, there still remain some emerging eye health issues such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, traumaand muscular degeneration besides cataract, corneal blindness and childhood blindness etc. which are being adequately dealt within the programme.
NPCB has been placed under the umbrella of National Health Mission and now is sharing the funds from both Central and State Governments
It emphasises for free cataract surgery through the health care delivery system as well as by the involvement of NGO sector and private practitioners and creates nationwide awareness for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Comprehensive eye care by covering diseases other than cataract like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), cornea transplantation, vitreo retinal surgery, treatment of childhood blindness etc.
It also helps in reducing backlog of blind persons by active screening of population above 50 years. Organising screening eye camps and transporting operable cases to fixed eye care facilities. NPCB also informs and educates people about health and eye care.
There are various schemes for voluntary organisations under public partnership. The purpose of the schemes is to develop eye care infrastructure and to provide appropriate eye care services to reduce the prevalence of blindness. It provides non recurring grant in aid for NGOs for strengthening and expanding eye care units in rural and tribal areas (up to maximum Rs.40.00 lakhs). It provides recurring grant-in-aid for eye donation centers, eye banks in government and voluntary sector through district health societies.
11 Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology, 54 Medical Colleges, 47 District Hospitals and 55 Sub District Hospitals have been upgraded during the 12th five year plan as on today. 990 new vision centers , 14 new eye banks have also been eshtablished. 2,52,60,600 cataract surgeries have been performed with IOl technique and 2,87,47,77 school going children have been screened and were alsoprovided with free spectacles under the programme as of today.
1019,586 lakh patients have been treated for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases.1150 eye surgeons have also been trained in various subject specialists andfields of ophthalmology under the programme.