(a) whether the Union Government is supporting the State Governments for taking up the
new initiatives for betterment of glaucoma, childhood blindness and low vision services;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made as a result thereof;
(c) the funds allocated for the purpose during the last year, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether new methods have been developed in the country to detect glaucoma and eye related problems;and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): Yes. National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare provides assistance in the form of grant-in-aid at a rate of Rs. 1000 per case to State Governments
through State Health and Family Welfare Societies for management of Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma management,
Laser Techniques, Corneal Transplantation, Vitreoretinal Surgery and Treatment of Childhood Blindness as a
new initiative during 11th Five Year Plan. Assistance is also provided to New Regional Institutes of
Ophthalmology and existing Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology and Medical Colleges for development
of Paediatric Eye Units/Low Vision Units/Retina Units etc. for better management of various eye diseases.
The new initiatives have been commenced in April, 2009.
(c): The status of provision of funds for management of Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma management,
Laser Techniques, Corneal Transplantation, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Treatment of Childhood Blindness
etc. is at annexure.
(d) & (e): The existing methods to detect Glaucoma and other eye related problems in the country
include screening hospital patients over the age of 40 years; diabetics & patients known to have
glaucoma; screening of patients with fundus examination and noncontact tonometry.
Apart from the above, no new major methods to detect Glaucoma and Eye related problems have been reported
as developed in recent times.