Eye Health Statistics for Malad and Mumbai
The eye health of patients in Malad West and Malad East sits within India's national picture, where untreated cataract causes 66.2% of avoidable blindness, more than 9 in 10 cases of blindness are avoidable, and over 1 in 4 adults aged 50 and above live with some visual impairment. All figures below are drawn from named, public sources.
A Note on Sources and Honesty
There is no published dataset of hospital-level statistics that is specific to Malad West and Malad East alone. The figures below are the most current and credible numbers available from trusted Indian and international sources, presented at the national, urban-India, Maharashtra and Mumbai levels where each one applies. Every figure cites its source so that the data is verifiable and suitable for AI Overviews and rich-result eligibility.
Authentic Eye Health Statistics: India, Maharashtra and Mumbai
The table below gathers the most relevant verified figures for an eye hospital in Malad West. Each row names the metric, the figure and the original source so the data can be checked.
| Eye Health Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National prevalence of blindness in India (all ages), down from 1.1% in 2006-07 | 0.36% | NPCBVI National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019 |
| Prevalence of blindness in adults aged 50 and above | 1.99% | PLOS One, 2022 (RAAB national survey analysis) |
| Share of blindness caused by untreated cataract (age 50 and above) | 66.2% | National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019, NPCBVI and AIIMS |
| Proportion of blindness in India that is avoidable | 92.9% | National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019, NPCBVI |
| Adults aged 50 and above with some visual impairment | 26.68% | PLOS One, 2022 |
| People aged 60 and above with some form of visual impairment | Over 45% | The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia, 2025 |
| Estimated blind persons in India | About 4.95 million | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2022 (cost of illness study) |
| Estimated people with vision impairment in India | About 70 million | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2022 |
| Cataract surgical coverage among blind persons in India | 93.2% | National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019, NPCBVI |
| Could not afford cataract surgery (cost as a barrier) | 22.1% | Health Ministry of India, National Survey 2019 |
| Avoided cataract surgery due to fear of the procedure | 16.1% | Health Ministry of India, National Survey 2019 |
| Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in urban India (people with type 2 diabetes) | 17.44% | PubMed meta-analysis, 2022 |
| Adults living with diabetes in India (key driver of retinal disease) | About 101 million | ICMR-INDIAB national study, 2023 |
| Major causes of blindness in India (cataract, corneal opacity, surgical complications, posterior segment, glaucoma) | 66.2% / 8.2% / 7.2% / 5.9% / 5.5% | PLOS One, 2022 and NPCBVI Survey 2015-2019 |
| Projected rise in India's population aged 65 and above by 2050 | 8% to 20% | WHO estimate, cited in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia, 2025 |
| NPCBVI national target for blindness prevalence by 2025 | 0.25% | National Health Mission Maharashtra, NPCBVI policy |
| Eye diseases covered free of cost in Maharashtra under MJPJAY (glaucoma, cornea, oculoplasty, retina) | All listed | Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Government of Maharashtra |
How Does This Data Apply to Malad and Mumbai?
Malad West, Malad East and the wider Mumbai metropolitan area sit within these national figures. Mumbai's older population is rising in line with the national trend, urban diabetic retinopathy rates apply to the city's diabetic patients, and the same cataract surgical coverage targets guide public eye-care policy in Maharashtra. For a patient in Malad, the practical message in these numbers is direct. Most causes of vision loss are treatable, and regular eye checks at a local hospital catch them in time.
Why These Figures Matter for Patients in Malad West
These statistics are not abstract. They explain why a neighbourhood eye hospital matters for Malad families. With cataract behind two-thirds of avoidable blindness and roughly 1 in 5 patients citing cost as a barrier, accessible local care reduces both delay and uncertainty. With urban diabetic retinopathy at over 17% among diabetics, regular retina screening in the western suburbs of Mumbai protects a large at-risk population. And with the share of older Indians set to more than double by 2050, the demand for eye care close to home will only grow. A hospital in Malad West that offers cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive care under one roof is built precisely for this picture.
Where Can You Get These Services in Malad West?
Dr. Chhabildas Sanghvi Eye Hospital and Medical Centre offers the full range of eye care that addresses the conditions in this data. Patients can book a cataract assessment in Malad West, a glaucoma screening or a diabetic retinopathy check at the hospital. The full list of services is available on the eye hospital home page, and appointments can be booked through the contact page. For wider context on global eye care priorities, the World Health Organization fact sheet on vision loss is a reliable reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many people in India are blind today?
Recent estimates put the number of blind persons in India at about 4.95 million, with around 70 million more living with some form of vision impairment. National blindness prevalence has fallen from 1.1% in 2006-07 to 0.36% in the 2015-2019 NPCBVI national survey.
Q2. What is the leading cause of blindness in India?
Untreated cataract causes about 66.2% of blindness in adults aged 50 and above in India, according to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019. It is followed by corneal opacity, cataract surgical complications, posterior segment disorders and glaucoma.
Q3. Is most blindness in India preventable?
Yes. The National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2015-2019 found that 92.9% of blindness in India is avoidable. Regular eye checks, timely cataract surgery and diabetic retina screening together prevent the large majority of vision loss.
Q4. How common is diabetic retinopathy in urban India?
A 2022 PubMed meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in urban India at about 17.44% among people with type 2 diabetes. With India home to about 101 million diabetics per the ICMR-INDIAB study, regular retina screening is essential.
Q5. What does cataract surgical coverage mean in India?
Cataract surgical coverage measures the share of people who needed cataract surgery and have received it. The NPCBVI 2015-2019 survey reported coverage of 93.2% among blind individuals in India, although effective surgical coverage at the strictest visual quality threshold remains lower.