Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Glaucoma
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2018

## GLAUCOMA

## 165. SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in the country and if so, the details thereof indicating the estimated number of people suffering from the disease, State/UT - wise;
- (b) the corrective measures taken/ proposedby the Government to tackle glaucomaand other eye related problems including colour blindness and spread awareness about the same; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to support research and innovation to find a cure for blindness and theachievements made as a result thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a): As  per  the  findings  of  the detailed Blindness  Survey  (2001 - 02)  conducted  under  the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI )in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness accountin 5.8% of the total 12 million (approximate) cases of blindness in the country.

Various stu dies done in the Country have shown that the prevalence of Glaucoma varie from 1%- 6% in different states of India.

- ( b) : The following corrective measures have beentaken under NPCB& VI to tackle glaucoma and other eye related problems including colour blindness and spread awareness about the s :
- Decentralized implementation of the scheme through State/District Health Societies;
- Conductingworkshops of District Ophthalmologists to se nsitize them on early diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma cases in the country;
- Instructions  have  been  issued  to  all  States  for  holding  comprehensive  screening camps including Glaucoma screening and referral of suspected cases;
- I n- service training of e ye surgeons for improvement of skills for treatment of various ey diseases including diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma;
- Providing  comprehensive  eye  care  services  for  eye  diseases  like  Cataract,  Diab Retinopathy,  Glaucoma,  Corneal  Blindness, RetinalD iseases, C hildhood B lindness including Retinopathy of Prematurity etc.;
- Financial  assistance  to identified NGO  eye  hospitals  and    private  practitioners  for treatment of eye diseases including Glaucoma;
- Provision  of  essential  drugs  and  ophthalmic equipments  at  District  Hospitals  for diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases including Glaucoma;
- Promoting  preventive  Eye  care  and  creating  awareness  during  various  annual  even under the programme .

## (c): The following research studies have been und rtaken by AIIMS, New Delhi, to find a cure for blindness:

- I. A pilot study was undertaken which included 30 patients of retinitis pigmentosa to safety and function of retina using electrophysiological tests.  The study showed t of stem cell s is safe and produce changes in retinal function.
- II. Another study funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was conducted to assess  the  role  of  self - derived  bone  marrow  stem  cells  in  Dry  Age  Related  Macular Degeneration.    The  Stem  Cell  therapy  wa s  done  for  30  patients  and  the  results  were encouraging.    Electrophysiological  tests  showed  significant  improvement  in  th patients.
- III. A study was also conducted to evaluate cultivated Limbal Stem Cell transplantatio evaluate its long term outcome in children and adults.  According to Institute, nowadays, cultivated Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation is preferred over conventional Limbal S Cell Therapy due to decreased risk of fellow eye complications.