Blindness accounts for almost 7 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS). Considering its importance ICMR has been continually conducting research in ophthalmology starting from the first nationwide blindness survey in 1970s till date. In addition ICMR also has mechanisms of sponsoring research by interested individuals which involve adhoc research schemes and fellowships. The details of these mechanisms and some of the results of major ICMR projects are presented. The identified new thrust areas and the coordinators for these are also listed.