The Vision 2020 initiative aims to eliminate preventable blindness globally by 2020. Launched by the WHO in 1999, India has committed to developing a national plan of action to target the major causes of blindness like cataracts, refractive errors, and more. The plan focuses on preventative interventions, human resource development, and building infrastructure like vision centers, service centers, training centers and centers of excellence to provide eye care services and increase access at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

1. VISION 2020
THE RIGHT TO SIGHT

2.  A global initiative to reduce or eliminate avoidable
(preventable and curable) blindness by the year
2020.
 Launched by WHO on 18th Feb. 1999.
 India has also committed to this initiative.

3.  Plan of action for the country has been developed
with following main features:
 Target disease : Cataract, refractive errors,
childhood blindness, corneal blindness, glaucoma,
diabetes retinopathy.
 Preventive interventions : Strengthening of vitamin
A supplementation, prevention of trauma to eyes in
industry, agriculture and household; school eye
screening program for detection and correction of
refractive errors, IEC for public awareness.

4.  Human resource development : Increasing the
capacity and skills of available human resources in
various area of ophthalmology.
 Infrastructure development : Proposed structure
includes center of excellence (20), training center
(200), service center (2000), and vision centers
(20,000).

5. Vision center at the primary level
1. Refraction and prescription of glasses
2. Primary eye care
3. School eye screening program
4. Screening referral services
 Service centers at the secondary level
1. Cataract surgeries
2. Other common eye surgeries
3. Facilities for refraction
4. Referral services

6.  Training center at the tertiary care level
1. Tertiary eye care including retinal surgeries, corneal
transplantation, glaucoma surgery etc.
2. Training and CME
 Center for Excellence
1. Professional leadership
2. Strategic development
3. CME
4. Laying of standards and quality assurance
5. Research