Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / India News / India's blind population to reduce drastically after new definition
    Next Article
    India's blind population to reduce drastically after new definition

    India's blind population to reduce drastically after new definition

    By Gogona Saikia
    Apr 20, 2017
    04:45 pm

    What's the story

    India has introduced a new definition of blindness, in accordance with World Health Organization criteria, after over four decades.

    The new definition lowers the benchmark for people to be considered blind, which will drastically reduce the number of people in the country currently identified as blind.

    From 1.2 crore, the number of 'blind' people is set to come down to 80 lakh.

    Definition

    The new definition of 'blind' in the Indian context

    With this change of definition, a person will now be considered blind if he/she is unable to count fingers from a distance of three metres. The earlier definition, adopted in 1976, stipulated this distance to be six metres.

    You're
    25%
    through

    Why?

    Old definition was hampering estimates, distancing WHO goal

    "We were (earlier) projecting a higher figure of blind people from India at international fora," said Dr Promila Gupta, Deputy Director General, NPCB.

    It is also an attempt to reduce the blindness prevalence in India to 0.3% by 2020 - a WHO target.

    "(Earlier) we had been addressing an extra 4mn individuals 'blind' due to refractive errors," said Professor Praveen Vashist of AIIMS.

    You're
    50%
    through

    Definition

    How does WHO define blindness?

    According to the WHO definition, blindness implies visual sharpness less than 3/60, or corresponding visual field loss to less than 10 degrees in the better eye, with the best available spectacle correction.

    You're
    75%
    through

    Difference

    Why did India's earlier definition differ from WHO's?

    India decided on a 6m distance while considering economic blindness - a level of blindness which prevents a person from earning wages.

    On the other hand, the WHO considered the criteria for blindness as a level that interferes with routine social interaction of a person, or social blindness.

    Done!
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    India
    World Health Organization
    All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
    Health & Wellness

    Latest

    'India has every means necessary...': Owaisi in Bahrain Asaduddin Owaisi
    Neha Dhupia joins Kunal Kemmu in 'Single Papa': Report Kunal Kemmu
    What is an e-passport? India's digital upgrade with biometric chip Canada
    Russia bombards Ukraine, kills 13 as prisoner swap continues Ukraine

    India

    FIR against publisher of controversial CBSE textbook Delhi
    Man delivers letters at 14,000 feet between India and China India China Border
    India has its own "desi" version of Google Earth Android
    India to limit visas for Pakistanis Pakistan News

    World Health Organization

    Study finds cannabis is harmful in the long run Robert Downey Jr.
    UNGA elevates antibiotic resistance to crisis level US Government
    Developing countries falling prey to tobacco addiction India
    Bird Flu Scare: Delhi Govt. issues health advisory Delhi

    All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

    What made news in Delhi? Indian Army
    What's new in Delhi? Delhi
    Prime Minister visits Bhatinda in Punjab Narendra Modi
    Colors float as rules flouted in Delhi Delhi

    Health & Wellness

    Aruna Shanbaug’s assailant tracked in UP India
    Female Genital Mutilation: Indian-origin doctor arrested in US World Health Organization
    Government to launch pneumonia vaccine by April-end India
    Gin aids in weight loss by increasing metabolism Food
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025