India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 10 July 2026
India has marked a significant milestone in global eye care as the WHO redesignates the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) as the Centre for Prevention of Blindness until 2030.
This recognition highlights LVPEI’s sustained leadership in advancing eye health, not just in India but also across countries. This renewed recognition further cements India’s role as a global hub for advanced eye care and blindness prevention initiatives.
This will also reinforce India’s growing influence in global healthcare delivery and highlight the country’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to tackling preventable blindness.
The redesignation by WHO is a testament to LVPEI’s decades-long commitment to excellence in eye care, research, and community outreach.
As a collaborating centre, LVPEI plays a critical role in supporting WHO’s global vision strategies, including capacity building, training programs, and the development of eye care models.
LVPEI has built a reputation for integrating clinical services with cutting-edge research and public health initiatives. Its remarkable model of eye care delivery ranging from primary vision centres in rural areas, has been widely recognized as a benchmark for equitable healthcare access.
“The WHO Collaborating Centre designation includes a detailed work plan and the need to provide technical inputs into the global eye care strategy over the next four years. I am confident that, working in close partnership with our colleagues at WHO, we will successfully achieve our shared goals of improving access to quality eye care and reducing avoidable blindness" said Dr. Rohit Khanna, Network Director, Public Health, LVPEI.
The institute’s contributions extend beyond treatment to include training ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied healthcare professionals. Its research initiatives have also played a pivotal role in developing innovative solutions for eye diseases. The WHO recognition validates these efforts and positions LVPEI as a key partner in shaping future strategies for blindness prevention.
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Blindness remains a significant public health challenge in India. According to various national surveys, approximately 0.36 per cent to 0.68 per cent of the Indian population is affected by blindness.
Among these, a large proportion of cases include preventable or treatable diseases. Conditions such as cataracts, refractive errors, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy contribute heavily to this burden.
The continued collaboration between WHO and LVPEI is expected to accelerate efforts to reduce this occurrence. By strengthening screening programs, improving early diagnosis, and expanding access to affordable treatment, the initiative directly benefits millions of Indian patients.
Therefore, LVPEI’s focus on community-based care ensures that awareness about eye health is disseminated widely. Preventive measures, timely interventions, and patient education are key components of reducing the overall disease burden.
The redesignation also signals a broader push toward strengthening research and innovation in eye care. As a WHO Collaborating Centre, LVPEI will continue to contribute to global knowledge sharing, policy development, and the implementation of best practices in blindness prevention.
As for India, this leads to improved healthcare outcomes and a more robust medical ecosystem. Increased focus on research enables the development of advanced diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and cost-effective solutions tailored to local needs. Therefore, WHO’s decision to redesignate LVPEI is not just an institutional achievement, it is a reflection of India’s growing leadership in healthcare innovation.
