India is home to the largest blind population in the world, with over 15 million individuals suffering from various forms of blindness. According to experts, approximately 75% of these cases are avoidable, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and resources.
A significant contributor to the ongoing crisis is the shortage of trained optometrists, alongside a severe lack of donated eyes for treating corneal blindness. While many of these conditions could be prevented or treated with better access to eye care, the gap in healthcare facilities and awareness remains a critical challenge.
Efforts to address this pressing issue are gaining momentum, with various organizations and government programs working to reduce the incidence of avoidable blindness. However, a more sustained and comprehensive approach is needed to provide timely treatments and preventative measures for millions in need.
Experts emphasize the importance of increasing awareness and access to eye care, and improving the availability of resources like optometrists and eye donations to significantly reduce the number of avoidable cases in India.
