The National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) in India has revised its target to reduce the prevalence of blindness. The MOST common AVOIDABLE cause of blindness in India according to recent national surveys is:

• A Glaucoma
• B Diabetic retinopathy
• C Cataract ✓
• D Corneal disease

Explanation

Cataract remains the leading cause of avoidable (treatable/preventable) blindness in India, accounting for approximately 62-66% of total blindness burden in national surveys. This high proportion reflects the large backlog of unoperated cataracts, particularly in rural and underserved populations. The NPCBVI targets cataract surgical rate (CSR) increase, with a target CSR of 6 million/year. Glaucoma causes blindness that is less amenable to reversal. Diabetic retinopathy is rising with the diabetes epidemic. Corneal disease is more prevalent as a cause in younger individuals.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.