The department shall maintain a program for the prevention of blindness, including, but not limited to:
(a) Studies to determine the number, distribution, and nature of conditions leading to blindness among the population of the state.
(b) Investigations into the causes of blindness for the purpose of developing control procedures.
(c) Consultations with, and assistance to, local agencies directed toward education for the prevention of blindness, the early identification of conditions leading to blindness, and the application of methods for reducing the amount of blindness resulting from preventable conditions.