Prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in overall population of India

The prevalence for overall population was calculated using the data of ≥50 years and 0-49 years population surveys. Prevalence of blindness in India was estimated as 0.36%, SVI 0.35%, MVI 1.84%, EVI 2.92%, MSVI 2.19% and VI 2.55%.

Definition of various categories of visual impairment
Blindness

Presenting visual acuity < 3/60 in better eye

Severe Visual Impairment (SVI)

Presenting visual acuity < 6/60 – 3/60 in better eye

Moderate Visual Impairment (MVI)

Presenting visual acuity < 6/18 – 6/60 in better eye

Early Visual Impairment (EVI)

Presenting visual acuity < 6/12 – 6/18 in better eye

Moderate Severe Visual Impairment (MSVI)

Presenting visual acuity <6/18-3/60 in better eye

Visual Impairment

Presenting visual acuity < 6/18 in better eye

Functional Low Vision

A person with impairment of visual functioning even after treatment and/or standard refractive correction, and a visual acuity of less than 6/18 to light perception, or a visual field of less than 10 degree from the point of fixation.

Cataract Surgical Coverage (Person) indicates how many persons received cataract surgery (one or both eyes) among all who were bilaterally pinhole blind due to cataract.
The numerator includes persons with one operated and one pinhole blind eye and persons with bilateral (pseudo) aphakia. The denominator includes the numerator, plus persons bilaterally pinhole blind due to cataract. Besides this, the indicator can also be calculated separately for PinVA <6/60 and <6/18.

Cataract Surgical Coverage (Eye) measures the proportions of eyes pinhole blind due to cataract, which have been operated so far.
The numerator includes all (pseudo) aphakic eyes. The denominator includes the numerator, plus eyes pinhole blind due to cataract. Besides this, the indicator can also be calculated separately for PinVA <6/60 and <6/18.


Table: Prevalence of blindness & visual impairment in overall population of India

 0-49 years
N=1119183644

≥50 years
N=211924583

Total Population India 2017
N=1331108227
Prevalence %Estimated NumberPrevalence %Estimated NumberPrevalence %Estimated Number
Blindness0.0525819751.9942172990.364799274
SVI0.0485372081.9641537220.354690930
MVI0.33337268829.81207898021.8424516684
EVI1.0281150520812.92207898022.9238885864
MSVI0.381426409011.77249435232.1929207613
VI0.433484606513.76291608232.5534006888
FLV0.0525819751.0321828230.212764798
Pinhole Blindness0.0525819751.7537086800.324290655