Vision is precious to us, and our eyes are very crucial parts of our body. However, many people living in this world are living with blindness. According to reports, 43 million people are living with this condition, and 295 million have moderate-to-severe visual impairment.
Around 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, including blindness, and 90 per cent of this is preventable or treatable. In response, the Government of India organises ‘Prevention of Blindness Week,’ a week-long campaign from April 1 to April 7 that aims to spread awareness about blindness and the blind.
Prevention Of Blindness Week 2025 History
In 1960, the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness was established by Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur. Since then, the organisation has actively participated and collaborated with Rotary International and Sight Savers to spread awareness about blindness and work on disability.
Significance of Prevention Of Blindness Week
Prevention of Blindness Week is observed to raise awareness about vision health and preventable blindness. It serves as a platform to educate the public about the causes of blindness, the importance of regular eye exams, and healthy eye habits. With India having the largest number of blind people, the general public is provided with awareness about trachoma, vitamin A deficiency, cataracts, and malnutrition.
India, often referred to as the “blind capital of the world”
India has the largest number of people who are blind or have visual impairments, which accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s blind population and the largest number of blind children in any one country. There are many factors contributing to high rates of blindness.
Access to Healthcare: India is still a developing country, as a significant portion of the country lacks access to basic healthcare services, particularly in rural areas and urban slums.
Cataract and Refractive Error: Cataract and refractive error remain the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment.
Childhood Blindness: Another major factor that contributes to blindness.
