Blindness is one of the most significant social problems in our country. It is estimated that there are 30 million people completely blind in the world. India alone accounts for 12 million totally blind (in both eyes) and 8 million partially blind (in one eye). This means 32 million blind eyes are there in India out of which 3 million need corneal transplantation (implantation of cornea) (Source : Annual report 1991-92, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of
The latest studies have revealed that 81 percent of blindness is due to cataract (opacity in the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred vision) which is curable by surgical interventions.
Today, there is a backlog of 22 million cataract cases and adding 2 million every year, whereas, the present rate of cataract operation is 1.2 million per year resulting in an additional load of 0.8 million cataract cases every year. Thus the country needs to perform 2.7 million cataract operations per year to clear the backlog.
Realising the importance of technical manpower for effective implementation of programme, the priority for manpower development is being given. Some of the important training programmes are :
- Training of para-medical ophthalmic assistance (PMOA)
- Training of medical graduates and ophthalmologists oriented to the needs of NPCB.
- Orientation/Refresher training of medical officers of primary health centres and hospitals.
- Continuing medical education for eye specialists.
The para-medical ophthalmic assistants are trained in 37 training schools attached to selected medical colleges/regional institutes/national institute. Training of primary health centre medical officers (7-15 days) is conducted in medical colleges/district hospitals/selected eye hospitals to prepare them to integrate eye health care into comprehensive health care delivery services and to guide and supervise the work of the ophthalmic assistant. The medical officers of primary health centres in turn carry out orientation training of the primary health centre staff to ensure that they have adequate knowledge and skills to know their roles and responsibilities clearly and discharge their respective responsibilities.
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