WHO Releases World Report on Vision
First-ever world report on vision reveals key findings critical to raise awareness for global eye care
Ahead of World Sight Day on October 10, The World Health Organization (WHO) released the long-anticipated first-ever World Report on Vision.
The report includes information critical to understanding the magnitude of global vision impairment and lack of access to high-quality eye care in many underserved and under-resourced communities across the globe.
Key findings from the report include that 2.2 billion people have some form of vision impairment or blindness and over 1 billion of these cases can be treated or prevented. According to the report, $14.3 billion is needed to eradicate the over 1 billion curable cases of blindness in the world, with the majority of impacted individuals residing in low and middle-income countries, predominantly in rural areas.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General stated, “It is unacceptable that 65 million people are blind or have impaired sight when their vision could have been corrected overnight with a cataract operation, or that over 800 million struggle in everyday activities because they lack access to a pair of glasses.”
HCP's mission is to cure needless blindness with the highest quality care at the lowest cost. We're thrilled to see the WHO shine attention on this global issue and highlight the critical and urgent need for increased resources and swift action to ensure that comprehensive eye care is available and affordable to the people that need it the most across the world.
