NATIONAL BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SURVEY OF INDIA (2015-19)

15, Oct 2019

Prelims level : Governance- Health Mains level : GS-II- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
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Why in News?

  • National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey of India (2015-19) was released recently.

About the Survey:

  • The survey was conducted by Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Opthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, for Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • It was conducted in 31 districts of 24 States across India.

Key Highlights of the Survey:

  • Cataract is the principal cause of blindness for people above 50years in India. Cataract is the cause for 66.2% cases of blindness,7% cases of severe visual impairment, and 70.2% cases ofmoderate visual impairment in the age group.
  • Blindness is more pronounced among illiterate (3.23%) thanliterates (0.43%) and more prevalent in the rural population (2.14%)than urban (1.80%).
  • Approximately 93% of cases of blindness and 96.2% visualimpairment cases in this age group were avoidable.
  • Barriers to accessing treatment includes no one to accompany [thepatient], seasonal preferences, and financial constraints.
    • Among men, the most important barriers are financialconstraints (31%) and local reasons (21.5%).
    • Among women, local reasons (23.1%) and financial constraints(21.2%) were the most important barriers.
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