National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) MCQs With Answer

The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) MCQs With Answer offers B. Pharm students a focused, clinical-public health perspective on ocular morbidity, prevention, and pharmacotherapy. This introduction covers NPCB objectives, strategies for cataract control, childhood blindness, trachoma (SAFE strategy), refractive error services, and essential ophthalmic drugs such as topical antibiotics, anti-glaucoma agents and anti-inflammatories. Keywords: NPCB, National Programme for Control of Blindness, cataract, trachoma, childhood blindness, vitamin A deficiency, ophthalmic drugs, glaucoma therapy, cataract surgical rate, primary eye care, community ophthalmology. The content is designed to bridge pharmacy practice and national eye-care policy. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. In which year was the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) launched in India?

• 1965
• 1976
• 1985
• 1994

Correct Answer: 1976

Q2. What is the primary objective of the NPCB?

• To provide cosmetic eye surgery to all citizens
• To reduce the prevalence of blindness and provide accessible eye-care services
• To promote private ophthalmic clinics exclusively
• To regulate ophthalmic drug prices

Correct Answer: To reduce the prevalence of blindness and provide accessible eye-care services

Q3. Which condition remains the leading cause of avoidable blindness targeted by NPCB?

• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Cataract
• Age-related macular degeneration

Correct Answer: Cataract

Q4. According to WHO definitions commonly used in NPCB reporting, blindness is defined as visual acuity worse than which threshold in the better eye?

• 6/18
• 6/60
• 3/60
• 1/60

Correct Answer: 3/60

Q5. In the SAFE strategy for trachoma control promoted by public health programs, what does the “A” stand for?

• Awareness
• Antibiotics
• Assessment
• Accessibility

Correct Answer: Antibiotics

Q6. Which set of conditions is explicitly addressed as priorities under NPCB?

• Cataract, childhood blindness, trachoma, refractive errors
• Otitis media, dental caries, tuberculosis, cataract
• Psoriasis, eczema, glaucoma, asthma
• Cardiac arrhythmias, cataract, mental health, anemia

Correct Answer: Cataract, childhood blindness, trachoma, refractive errors

Q7. Which topical medication is a first-line agent for lowering intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma?

• Timolol
• Skincalon
• Prednisolone acetate
• Tetracycline oral

Correct Answer: Timolol

Q8. Which drug class does latanoprost belong to and what is its main action in glaucoma?

• Beta-blocker; decreases aqueous production
• Prostaglandin analogue; increases uveoscleral outflow
• Alpha agonist; increases aqueous production
• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor; increases trabecular outflow

Correct Answer: Prostaglandin analogue; increases uveoscleral outflow

Q9. Which systemic drug is commonly used as an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to lower intraocular pressure?

• Acetazolamide
• Metformin
• Amoxicillin
• Ibuprofen

Correct Answer: Acetazolamide

Q10. Which topical antibiotic eye drop is widely used for bacterial conjunctivitis and is part of essential medicine lists?

• Chloramphenicol
• Oral erythromycin
• Topical hydrocortisone
• Systemic ciprofloxacin only

Correct Answer: Chloramphenicol

Q11. Which single-dose antibiotic is recommended for mass drug administration in trachoma control programs?

• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline
• Penicillin V
• Ceftriaxone

Correct Answer: Azithromycin

Q12. Historically, what nutritional deficiency has been a leading cause of preventable childhood corneal blindness in India?

• Vitamin C deficiency
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency

Correct Answer: Vitamin A deficiency

Q13. Which preventive intervention is a core component of NPCB strategies to reduce childhood blindness?

• Vitamin A prophylaxis and immunization linkage
• Routine adult cataract screening only
• Exclusive reliance on tertiary hospitals
• Cosmetic eye procedures for children

Correct Answer: Vitamin A prophylaxis and immunization linkage

Q14. Which surgical procedure is most commonly supported by NPCB for treatment of operable cataract with rehabilitation?

• Intraocular lens implantation at cataract surgery
• Keratoplasty for corneal dystrophy
• Vitrectomy for macular degeneration
• Strabismus correction in adults

Correct Answer: Intraocular lens implantation at cataract surgery

Q15. Which operational indicator is frequently used to monitor the performance of cataract services under NPCB?

• Birth rate
• Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR)
• Infant mortality rate
• Dental coverage rate

Correct Answer: Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR)

Q16. Which of the following eye conditions is generally not a primary target of NPCB interventions?

• Refractive errors
• Trachoma
• Strabismus (squint)
• Glaucoma

Correct Answer: Strabismus (squint)

Q17. Which topical agent is commonly used to treat ocular inflammation (steroid) after intraocular surgery?

• Topical prednisolone acetate
• Topical timolol
• Topical atropine
• Topical chloramphenicol

Correct Answer: Topical prednisolone acetate

Q18. What is the primary mechanism of action of timolol in glaucoma management?

• Increases uveoscleral outflow
• Reduces aqueous humour production by blocking beta receptors
• Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body
• Causes pupillary dilation

Correct Answer: Reduces aqueous humour production by blocking beta receptors

Q19. Which public health intervention best addresses uncorrected refractive errors among schoolchildren under NPCB initiatives?

• School eye screening and provision of spectacles
• Mass cataract surgery camps for children
• Vitamin A supplementation only
• Community toothbrushing programs

Correct Answer: School eye screening and provision of spectacles

Q20. Which modality is widely used for screening and documenting diabetic retinopathy in community eye-care programs?

• Slit-lamp biomicroscopy without documentation
• Fundus photography and grading
• Tonometer readings alone
• Amsler grid testing only

Correct Answer: Fundus photography and grading

Q21. Primary eye-care activities at peripheral health centers under NPCB typically include which service?

• Visual acuity screening and referral of suspected cases
• Complex retinal detachment surgeries
• Provision of intraocular implants
• Only administrative tasks, no clinical services

Correct Answer: Visual acuity screening and referral of suspected cases

Q22. Which outcome is used as a quality indicator for cataract surgery services?

• Postoperative visual acuity and functional improvement
• Patient blood pressure on discharge
• Number of spectacles sold in hospital shops
• Time taken to publish annual report

Correct Answer: Postoperative visual acuity and functional improvement

Q23. Which instrument is commonly used for biometric measurement prior to intraocular lens calculation for cataract surgery?

• Slit-lamp
• A-scan ultrasound biometer
• Tonopen
• Snellen chart

Correct Answer: A-scan ultrasound biometer

Q24. Which pathogen is the primary cause of trachoma, an infectious cause of corneal blindness targeted by NPCB strategies?

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Herpes simplex virus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Correct Answer: Chlamydia trachomatis

Q25. Which clinical sign is characteristic of chronic vitamin A deficiency in the conjunctiva?

• Bitot’s spots
• Cherry-red spot
• Kayser-Fleischer ring
• Corneal arcus

Correct Answer: Bitot’s spots

Q26. Which modern surgical technique is commonly preferred for uncomplicated senile cataract when available?

• Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant
• Conjunctival biopsy
• Corneal transplant
• Laser peripheral iridotomy as primary cataract surgery

Correct Answer: Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant

Q27. Which element is NOT part of the SAFE strategy for trachoma control?

• Surgery for trichiasis
• Antibiotics for community-wide treatment
• Facial cleanliness
• Systemic steroid administration for all cases

Correct Answer: Systemic steroid administration for all cases

Q28. At what level of the health system is primary eye care delivery emphasized in NPCB implementation?

• Tertiary referral hospitals only
• Primary Health Centres and community outreach
• Only private specialty clinics
• International hospitals exclusively

Correct Answer: Primary Health Centres and community outreach

Q29. Which public health measures primarily reduce transmission and prevalence of trachoma in endemic communities?

• Mass deworming alone
• Facial cleanliness and environmental improvement plus antibiotics
• Only provision of spectacles
• Routine cataract surgery camps

Correct Answer: Facial cleanliness and environmental improvement plus antibiotics

Q30. Which of the following best describes the role of pharmacists in supporting NPCB goals?

• Supplying and counseling on essential ophthalmic medicines and supporting community screening programs
• Performing intraocular lens implantations
• Conducting fundus surgery independently
• Focusing solely on non-ophthalmic drugs

Correct Answer: Supplying and counseling on essential ophthalmic medicines and supporting community screening programs

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