The National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey of India 2015-2019 reports that refractive error is the major cause of visual impairment in the 0-49 years age group.

The WHO SPECS 2030 initiative aims to provide effective refractive error coverage, targeting an increase in global coverage by 40% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels.

For the first time, a large-scale project is being planned in Assam through a joint collaboration between the WHO, the Government of Assam, and Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya (SSDN), based in Guwahati, Assam.

The project will follow the 'Integrated People-Centered Eye Care' approach, leveraging SSDN's strong community network to integrate services across various health sectors and engage communities and families.

Members of the joint project convened on the 21st and 22nd of November, along with community and preventive ophthalmologists, to devise a strategic plan for rolling out the project in three districts of Assam to provide effective refractive care services.