EYE HEALTH
INITIATIVE
The goal of our Eye Health Initiative is to reduce all forms of vision impairment and blindness, with a focus on adults around the world.
1.1 BILLION PEOPLE ARE VISION IMPAIRED OR BLIND, WORLDWIDE.
Sadly, at least 1 billion people have vision impairment that could have been prevented, or has not been addressed.
Vision impairment vs blindness
Vision impairment
- refers to any visual condition that impacts and individual’s ability to successfully complete the activities of everyday life.
- can negatively impact quality of life and productivity.
- can increase susceptibility to injuries or accidents
- can dramatically increases economic and social costs, and burdens the health care system.
Blindness
- Blindness is defined as extremely poor visual activity and/or significantly reduced peripheral vision.
The leading causes of vision impairment
- Uncorrected refractive error is the main cause for vision impairment worldwide.
- In low-middle income countries, cataract is the leading cause of blindness.
- However, glaucoma, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy and childhood blindness are additional conditions that cause visual impairment and blindness.
- These conditions are usually undetected in low-middle income countries due to a lack of training and use of adequate equipment.
THE REACH OF OUR TRAINING, EQUIPMENT & SUPPORT
A new resource for parents
‘Open Your Eyes’ is a Sight For All initiative to provide general information about children’s eye health.
