India's National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) defines blindness as visual acuity of less than 3/60 (or inability to count fingers at 3 metres) in the better eye with best available correction. Which condition contributes to the maximum proportion of blindness in India according to recent surveys?
- A Glaucoma
- B Refractive errors (uncorrected)
- C Cataract ✓
- D Diabetic retinopathy
Explanation
Cataract remains the single leading cause of blindness in India, accounting for approximately 62–66% of total bilateral blindness as per the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) surveys. Despite the high volume of cataract surgeries performed annually (9–10 million in India), the backlog remains large due to population growth and demographic aging. The NPCBVI has set targets to eliminate avoidable blindness; cataract surgery rate (CSR) and cataract surgical coverage (CSC) are key programme metrics. Refractive errors cause significant visual impairment but relatively less bilateral blindness (correctable). Glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are emerging causes but still secondary to cataract in absolute numbers.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.