New report illuminates magnitude of the world’s vision problems

An international report has highlighted the extent of vision impairment and blindness around the world, calling on eye care to be people-centred and part of universal health coverage.

The World Report on Vision has been released by the World Health Organization with major contribution from The Fred Hollows Foundation and the global eye health sector.

It reveals that at least 1 in 7 people across the world have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed, and the number of people with eye conditions is set to increase with an ageing population and sedentary lifestyles.

Hundreds of millions of people have a severe vision impairment, which puts them at higher risk of bullying and sexual violence, and a large proportion of people rank blindness as one of their most feared ailments, ahead of other conditions such as cancer.

The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Deputy CEO Nick Martin said The Foundation supported the World Health Organization’s calls to empower people and communities in providing eye care.

“Everyone has the right to good sight, equal access to quality eye care, and to not be impoverished by it,” Martin said. “Eye conditions will affect almost everyone in their lifetime, so we need to make sure eye health is a core part of national health plans and that people receive care tailored to their circumstances.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is starting at home with the nation’s First People and those living in remote communities, who are much more likely to have poor eye health and its long-term impacts.

“We are making eye care more accessible in Australia by establishing regional hubs which will provide access to specialist care and outreach services, ” Martin said. “We’re also encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to become eye health professionals, and to provide placements in rural clinics, as we know people are more likely to access eye services delivered in a culturally-appropriate way.

Meanwhile, as Australians celebrate World Sigh Day today, Vision 2020 Australia is reminding all Australians to put their vision first by having their eyes checked.

This year’s Word Sight Day theme is Vision First rooting from the data that around 90% of blindness and vision impairment is preventable or treatable if detected early enough.

According to Vision 2020, eye tests can be arranged directly through an optometrist, by referral to an ophthalmologist, or by speaking with GP, and are often covered by Medicare.

Vision 2020 Australia CEO Judith Abbott said, “As we approach the year 2020, it’s never been a more appropriate time for people to put vision first to keep their eyesight 20/20.”

Pearl Dy

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Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.

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