Methodology to investigate the impact of blindness control activities in the Southern Indian population.

Aim: To describe the methodology used to investigate the impact of blindness control activities in the southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. Background: The blindness control activities in Andhra Pradesh have been implemented since 1976 through the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB) by the Government of India through District Blindness Control Societies (DBCS). Besides Government eye care facilities, many local, national, international Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private sector eye care facilities are active in controlling blindness in the state. In the year 2002 Andhra Pradesh Right to Sight Society (APRTSS) was established as part of a global initiative of VISION 2020 The Right to Sight to coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders in eye care. The present study investigated the impact of blindness control activities in the state of AP in general and with special reference to the activities of APRTSS Methods: The study was based on the six building blocks of the health care system for all the stakeholders in eye care. The baseline data for the year 2002-03 were collected from sources such as State Blindness Control Society, District Blindness Control Societies and major stakeholders in eye care in the state and also by questionnaire to managers of eye care facilities and eye care professionals. The current data are being collected for the year 2012-2013. Interviews based on Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis were conducted with policy makers in the Government, Managers of the eye care facilities and NGOs. Conclusion: The outcomes of the study will provide information regarding the trends in blinding eye diseases, human resources and infrastructure facilities in the last decade and information on the deficiencies in eye care service delivery that may provide the basis to formulate strategies for implementation of the VISION 2020 program in the state for coming years.