"AIIMS Survey: India’s Eye Care Crisis—1 Ophthalmologist for 65,000 People"

India is grappling with a severe shortage of eye care professionals, as highlighted by an AIIMS survey revealing just one ophthalmologist for every 65,000 people, jeopardizing efforts to combat visual impairment.

• The AIIMS survey conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, indicates a staggering ratio of one ophthalmologist for every 65,000 people across India.
• Regional disparities are evident, with southern and western states having better access to eye care, while northern and eastern regions suffer from a lack of ophthalmologists and optometry services.
• With 20,944 ophthalmologists currently practicing, the shortage significantly hampers Indias ambition to eliminate avoidable blindness, a goal critical to public health and human resources management.