India has made commendable progress under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). The nation achieved a historic milestone by performing over 9.8 million cataract surgeries in FY 2024–25, the highest ever recorded. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the Government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness and improving access to quality eye care for all.
The global Value of Vision report, jointly released by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), Seva Foundation, and the Fred Hollows Foundation, highlights the immense socio-economic value of investing in eye health.
Using globally modelled data on vision impairment prevalence, gross national income, economic growth rates, labour force participation, school enrolment, and population structures, the report estimates the benefits of reaching the 255 million people living with sight loss in low- and middle-income countries.
Crucially, the findings show that for potentially every ₹1 invested in eye health yields a return of ₹16, making it one of the best public health and economic investments. Additionally, this could further potentially boost our productivity by ₹2.27 lakh crore and bolster employment with an increase of ₹78,700 crore. Along with this, we could also alleviate ₹40,800 crore in caregiving and avoid 65,000 transport injuries and mortalities.
Through simple interventions such as school and community eye programmes and providing on-the-spot glasses, we are on the path to potentially creating ₹3.6 Trillion in annual impact, ensuring brighter futures and healthier vision for children and communities alike.
To build on our leadership and accelerate progress, it would be significant for our eye care ecosystem, spanning the public, NGO, private sector, academia and allied professionals, to continue prioritising the following strategic measures:
- Early Detection through Community Vision Screenings
Strengthen public–private partnerships to expand the reach of vision screenings, ensuring early detection of eye conditions at the community level.
- On-the-Spot Provision of Reading Glasses
Offering reading glasses immediately after screening can significantly reduce vision-related loss. Expanding screenings among students and young people helps address refractive errors early and supports learning outcomes.
- Strengthening the Eye Health Workforce
Increase investments in training, upskilling, and deploying optometrists, allied ophthalmic personnel, ophthalmologists, and allied professionals to meet growing demand.
- Boosting Surgical Productivity and Quality
Enhancing surgical efficiency and maintaining high standards of care have shown to promote quality and lower costs, while ensuring equitable access to advanced treatments.
- Addressing Barriers to Access
Addressing barriers such as cost, distance, and stigma for eye care to be affordable, inclusive, and socially accepted, empowering individuals to seek timely treatment without hesitation.
- Improving Cataract Surgery further
Making cataract surgery even better with innovative training and techniques
Eye health is not just a health priority, it’s an economic and social multiplier. Strengthening vision care aligns appropriately with Viksit Bharat 2047, India’s long-term developmental vision.
By improving learning outcomes for children, enhancing productivity among the working-age population, and ensuring dignity and independence for the elderly, robust eye health systems continue to contribute directly to a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous society.
The Indian government’s unwavering dedication to eliminating needless blindness and visual impairment exemplifies how visionary leadership can transform lives, communities and the nation’s future.