In a recent landmark publication by the World Health Organization (WHO), the first-ever World Vision Report was published to commemorate World Sight Day. This report sheds light on a global perspective on eye health, its prevalent issues, and potential solutions. Pointing out the existence of inequalities in the burden of vision impairment across different demographics, the report proposes crucial steps towards integrating eye care into general healthcare systems.
Global Vision Impairment: A Closer Look
According to the World Vision Report, more than 2.2 billion people worldwide are living with some form of vision impairment. Among these, an alarming 1 billion individuals suffer from conditions that could have been prevented or are yet to be addressed. The report brings to attention the glaring disparity in the distribution of this health concern. The burden of vision impairment is significantly higher in individuals living in rural areas, low-income groups, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities as well as indigenous populations.
Evidence of Inequality in Vision Impairment
The report shows evidence of inequality regarding vision impairment. Western and eastern sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, regions classified as low and middle-income, face rates of blindness eight times higher than in high-income countries. Moreover, an urban population in Delhi shows an age-specific prevalence of distance vision impairment (20% prevalence among those aged 60-69 years) which is one-third less than their rural counterparts in Northern India at 28%.
Ageing Population and Rising Eye Problems
As the global population ages, the report warns of an increased number of people suffering from vision impairment and blindness. Presbyopia, a condition that makes it difficult to see nearby objects, affects up to 1.8 billion people. This eye problem often occurs with advancing age. Also widespread is myopia – a condition causing difficulty in seeing objects at a distance, affecting 2.6 billion people globally. Alarmingly, 312 million of these individuals are below the age of 19 years.
Facts Table on Vision Impairment
| Condition | Number of People Affected |
|---|---|
| Presbyopia | 1.8 billion |
| Myopia | 2.6 billion |
| Myopia (individuals under 19) | 312 million |
National Programme for Control of Blindness and Recent Developments
In India, the situation has seen considerable improvement thanks to the National Programme for Control of Blindness. Launched in 1976 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the rate of cataract surgery increased nine-fold between 1981 and 2012. The programme’s significant efforts are evident in the whopping 6.5 million cataract surgeries conducted in 2016-2017, along with another 1.5 million treatment procedures performed for other eye conditions.
Recommendations and Way Forward
The World Report on Vision advocates for an integrated people-centered eye care approach to prevail over these challenges. It suggests making eye care a crucial part of universal health coverage and promoting high-quality implementation and health systems research. Besides, it emphasizes the importance of monitoring trends and evaluating progress towards the implementation of holistic eye care. Lastly, the report insists on raising awareness and empowering individuals and communities about eye care needs.