Uttar Pradesh is still lagging behind in providing comprehensive and quality eye care services. At present, the eye care service delivery in the state is mostly ‘Cataract centric’. Other important causes of vision impairment are refractive error [RE], Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy [DR] and low vision [LV] are not catered substantially. The state has a 1.15% prevalence of blindness. It means that UP has largest number of persons with visual impairment [approximately more than 2.2 million]

A closer look at the causes for this high rate of blindness - cataract [73%]; refractive errors [9%]; glaucoma [8%]; corneal opacity [1%]; surgical complications [2%]; others [8%] – clearly indicates that with adequate eye care facilities and infrastructure this blindness is preventable and curable.

In view of the above it is proposed to start a Comprehensive screening program in the rural population of Sitapur and its adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh.

• Screening for early detection of Refractive Error, Cataract, Glaucoma and Diabetic patients in the rural community of Sitapur and it’s adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh, so that these blinding conditions can be treated at an early stage in an underprivileged poor population.