Blindness in India: Some Glaring Facts

       

• Statistics have revealed that India is home to largest number of blind people in the world.
• Over 15 million people are blind in India out of the world’s 37 million blind (2007 records).
• One out of every three people in India is blind.
• The major causes of blindness in India are malnutrition, trachoma & cataract among others. Other causes include shortage of optometrists and donated eyes.
• Deficiency of Vitamin A is the leading cause of childhood blindness.
• The most common cause for blindness across the country is cataract.
• Prevalence of blindness is high in states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• In absolute terms, more than two thirds of blind persons are in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.