Experts Highlight That Over 85% of Blindness in India Is Preventable

New Delhi: On World Sight Day, experts emphasized that although India has the highest number of blind individuals globally, over 85 percent of these cases are preventable. According to IANS, experts stressed the need for increased awareness about the causes and treatments available to prevent blindness.

India is estimated to have around 34 million people suffering from blindness or moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI). “Nearly 85 percent of blindness worldwide is avoidable, whether through prevention or treatment,” said Dr. Rajesh Sinha, Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi, as per IANS.

He underscored the importance of raising public awareness to help those who may become blind due to a lack of knowledge preserve their vision throughout their lives. “Ocular causes of preventable blindness include infections and vitamin A deficiency, while treatable causes can range from cataracts to uncorrected refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy,” Sinha explained.

As per IANS, the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey found that cataracts account for 66.2 percent of all blindness cases in India, making it the leading cause. Uncorrected refractive errors make up 18.6 percent, while glaucoma accounts for 6.7 percent. Other contributing factors include corneal opacities (0.9 percent), childhood blindness (1.7 percent), and diabetic retinopathy (3.3 percent).

Dr. Ikeda Lal, Senior Specialist in Cornea, Cataract, and Refractory Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, echoed these concerns. “It is crucial to raise awareness about preventable blindness, as more than 85 percent of blindness can be avoided if individuals know how to address the underlying causes,” Lal said.

According to IANS, common causes of blindness in India include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, uncorrected refractive errors, and corneal blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is also a major contributor, particularly given the high incidence of diabetes in the country. The experts advocated for early screenings to identify eye conditions and prevent vision loss, emphasizing that timely intervention can make a significant difference.