Millions of individuals worldwide are grappling with vision problems, many of whom require spectacles. Unfortunately, eye care access remains an obstacle, especially for low- and middle-income countries. To counter this crisis, the 74th World Health Assembly, 2021 has initiated a program dubbed “”Specs 2030″”, purposed to provide integrated, people-centered eye care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to launch SPECS 2030, targeting member states with unmet spectacles needs. Notably, the project aims to facilitate quality eye care while expanding the reach of refractive error services that are affordable, quality-assured, and centered on the needs of the people.
Understanding Refractive Error of Vision
Refractive error of vision is prevalent, affecting how light is focused onto the retina, which can cause blurred or distorted vision. This condition can materialize in multiple forms and severity levels.
The types of refractive errors include Myopia, referring to difficulty seeing distant objects; Hypermetropia, difficulty seeing nearby objects, Presbyopia, age-related difficulty focusing on close items, and Astigmatism, which leads to blurred or distorted vision at any distance.
Symptoms common to refractive errors include blurry vision, double vision, hazy vision, seeing a glare or halo around bright lights, headaches, and eye strain.
Other Common Eye Defects/ Diseases
Various other notable eye defects/diseases include Color Blindness, Cataract, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), and Glaucoma. Each of these conditions poses unique challenges and require different treatment options.
The Impact of Vision Impairment: A Global Perspective
WHO asserts that over 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from compromised eyesight, with at least 1 billion of these cases being preventable with proper eye care access. Shockingly, 90% of individuals with vision impairment or blindness live in low and middle-income countries.
India’s Urgent Need for Vision Care
Within India, the challenge of providing eye care and glasses to those suffering from refractive errors is enormous. As per WHO, at least 100 million Indians need spectacles but lack access to them.
Economic Consequences of Vision Impairment
Impaired vision has led to a significant global economic loss of about USD 410.7 billion. The cost of ensuring everyone has access to eye care and treatment is estimated to be USD 24.8 billion, according to the WHO.
The Alarming Surge in Myopia Cases
The rise in myopia cases worldwide is striking. In China alone, the average onset age for myopia has fallen from 10.5 years to 7.5 years in just two decades. Countries in East and South Asia, such as Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, and Japan, are experiencing a serious upsurge in myopia cases. Experts estimate that half of the world’s population will need glasses in the near future.
The Way Forward
Approaches to manage this growing issue include reducing screen time, encouraging outdoor activities, monitoring children’s eye health, regular eye check-ups, infrastructure development for accessible eye care services, public awareness campaigns about refractive errors and their impacts on vision. Collaboration and investment from governments, NGOs, and private sectors in programs like the Specs 2030 is crucial for its success.
