Calcutta tops a list of cities with growing eye problems among children. A recently concluded survey, conducted at the behest of the Union health ministry, has revealed that vitamin A deficiency – the most common reason for eye problems among children – is highest in the city and adjacent districts.

The state government, along with Lions Club International, has embarked upon a Rs 25-lakh project to screen the eyes of more than 1 lakh children in Calcutta alone. “In the next six months, we will cover most city schools. Our focus is to reduce cases of childhood blindness and find out why this [high incidence of eye disorder in the state] is the case,” said Divyesh Shah, a city-based eye surgeon who is coordinating the project.

Apart from vitamin A, uncorrected refractive errors, including high myopia and hyperopia, were found to be the other major reasons for poor eyesight, the survey revealed.

The national survey report findings put Kolkata just behind Bhopal, followed by cities such as Lucknow, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

The central government is concerned at extent of the problem and has decided to make efforts to prevent childhood blindness as its priority area in the programme 'Vision 2020: The Right to Sight'.

The World Health Organisation has also warned that most eye problems among children, if not detected early, can lead to reduced vision and even blindness.