NATIONAL

PROGRAMME FOR
CONTROL OF
BLINDNESS (NPCB)
By- Paramita Moi
( 4 th yr. BSc Nursing student)
BLINDNESS
 DEFINITION:
 WHO definition:
Visual acuity less than 3/60 or its equivalent
 NPCB definition:
1. Visual acuity less than 6/60 or its equivalent with
best possible spectate correction.
2. Inability of a person to count fingers from a distance
of 6 metres or 20 feet.
VISUAL ACUITY:
 Sharpness of vision , measured as
maximum distance a person can
see a certain object , divided by
the maximum distance at which a
person with normal sight can see
the same object.
CLASSIFICATION OF VISION
IMPAIRMENT:
According to International classification of disease (2018) :
 Distance vision impairment:
1. Mild- visual acuity worse than 6/12
2. Moderate - visual acuity worse than 6/18
3. Severe – visual acuity worse than 6/60
4. Blindness – visual acuity worse than 3/60

 Near vision impairment: Presenting near vision acuity worse

than N6 with existing correction.
TYPES OF BLINDNESS:
1. Economic blindness:
2. Social blindness:
3. Manifest blindness:
4. Absolute blindness
5. Curable blindness:
6. Preventable blindness:
7. Avoidable blindness:
8. Unavoidable blindness:
CAUSES OF BLINDNESS:
 Eye injuries :
-Chemical burns
-Exposure to toxins
-Fights
-Fireworks
-Accidents
-Sports
CONTD.
Infections :
 Trachoma
 Cytomegalovirus
 Endopthalmitis
 Histoplasmosis
 Keratitis
 Rubella
 Syphilis
 Uveitis
CONTD.
 Medical conditions
1. Retinitis pigmentosa
2. Age related macular degeneration
3. Retinopathy of prematurity
4. Cataract
5. Diabetes related retinopathy
6. Glaucoma
7. Cancer
8. Stroke
9. Vitamin- A,B deficiency
SYMPTOMS OF BLINDNESS:
NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR
CONTROL OF BLINDNESS :
 NPCB was launched in 1976 .
 It launched as 100 % centrally sponsored
programme.
 It is decentralised with the formation of
DISTRICT BLINDNESS CONTROL
PROGRAM ( DBCP) in each district.
CONTD.
 Goals:
1. To reduce the prevalence of blindness from
1.49% (1986-89) to <0.3% by 2020.
2. To establish an infrastructure efficiency to
maintain the new cases of blindness to prevent
future backlogs.
CONTD.
 Objectives:
1. To reduce the backlog of blindness through
identification and treatment of blindness.
2. To develop and strengthen the strategy “ EYE
HEALTH FOR ALL”.
3. To develop human resources for providing eye
care services.
4. To improve existing infrastructure.
5. To increase research for prevention of blindness or
visual impairment.
6. To enhance community awareness on eye care.
CONTD.
Targeted main activities:
1. Performance of 66 lakhs cataract operations per
year.
2. School eye screening and free distribution of 9
lakh spectacles per year to school children.
3. Collection of 50000 donated eyes per year for
keratoplasty.
STRATEGIES OF NPCB:
 Decentralised the implementation of the scheme NPCB .
 Reduction in development of blindness by active screening of
population about 50 years .
 Covering disease other than cataract like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma,
childhood blindness etc.
 Coverage of underserved area for eye care services through Public –
Private Partnership.
 Capacity building of personnel for delivery of high quality care services.
 Screening of children for refractive errors .
 Provision of free glasses to vulnerable section.
VISION 2020: THE RIGHT TO
SIGHT
 A global initiative has been taken to
reduce avoidable ( preventable and
curable) blindness by the year 2020.
 Target diseases :
Cataract , refractive errors , childhood
blindness , corneal blindness , glaucoma ,
diabetic retinopathy.
 Proposed structure of vision 2020:
CONTD.
 New initiatives of the program:
1. Provision of free glasses in presbyopia patients
2. Provision of spectacles for school children by
conducting eye testing fortnight every year in
the month of June.
3. Provision of multipurpose district mobile
ophthalmic units ( MDMOUS) in all districts all
over the country.
OTHER SPECIFIC PREVENTIVE
PROGRAMME:

 Trachoma control programme

 School eye health services
 Vitamin A prophylaxis
 Occupational eye health services.