WHO Launches First World Report On Vision

the World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever World Report on Vision. The report is a key document that aims to strengthen eye care globally and reduce the burden of vision loss and blindness. It provides an overview of global eye health, including the magnitude of the problem and how it can be addressed.

WHO First World Report On Vision:

The first World Report on Vision was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2019. The report is a key document for global eye health, providing evidence to strengthen eye care globally.

The report includes data from 184 countries on the prevalence of visual impairment and its causes, as well as interventions to prevent and treat eye conditions.

The report highlights that visual impairment is a public health concern that requires urgent action.

Aim of WHO First World Report On Vision:

WHO First World Report On Vision aimed for the following:

• To make recommendations on how to strengthen eye care globally and improve vision for all.
• To draw attention to the growing problem of uncorrected refractive error and vision impairment.
• To provide a key document for global eye health policy-makers, programme managers and service delivery planners.
• To make sure that eye health is included in the broader discussion on non-communicable diseases and universal health coverage.
• The first World Report on Vision was launched by WHO on 10th October 2019. The report provides the first-ever global estimates of vision impairment and highlights the growing problem of uncorrected refractive error. It also makes recommendations on how to strengthen eye

Key Points on WHO First World Report On Vision:

The first World Report on Vision is a key document for global eye health. It provides an overview of the current state of eye health worldwide. Here are the Key findings of the WHO First World Report On Vision:

• Around 2.2 billion people have vision impairment of these, at least one billion people have a condition that could have been avoided or has yet to be addressed.
• Uncorrected refractive error is the main cause of vision impairment worldwide.
• A cataract is the second leading cause of vision impairment.
• age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of vision impairment.
• Glaucoma is the fourth leading cause of vision impairment.
• Diabetic retinopathy is the fifth leading cause of vision impairment.
• In rural areas, women are more likely to have vision impairment than men.
• In urban areas, there is no difference in the prevalence of vision impairment between men and women.
• Low- and middle-income countries have a higher burden of vision impairment than high-income countries.

The report provides first-ever global estimates of the prevalence of these conditions and makes recommendations on how to strengthen eye care globally and improve vision for all.

Causes of Vision Impairment:

The first World Report on Vision highlights that a range of different factors can lead to vision impairment, many of which are preventable. These include:

– Uncorrected refractive error: This is the most common cause of vision impairment globally, affecting an estimated two billion people. It occurs when the eye does not focus light correctly, resulting in a blurred image. Refractive errors can be easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

– Age-related macular degeneration: This is the leading cause of vision impairment in high-income countries and affects around 50 million people worldwide. It occurs when the central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates, resulting in a loss of central vision. There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, but treatments are available to slow its progression.

– Cataract: This is the leading cause of vision impairment globally, affecting around 20 million people. It occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in a blurred image. Cataracts can be surgically removed to restore vision.

– Diabetic retinopathy: This is a complication of diabetes and is the leading cause of vision impairment in middle- and low-income countries. It occurs when the blood vessels in the retina become damaged, resulting in a loss of vision. Early detection and treatment can help to prevent diabetic retinopathy from progressing to vision loss.

Preventable Causes of vision impairment

Preventable Causes of vision impairment account for an estimated 90% of cases globally. This highlights the importance of prevention and early detection in protecting vision. There are a number of simple measures that can be taken to prevent or delay the onset of vision impairment, including:

– Wearing sunglasses to protect against ultraviolet (UV) radiation

– Quitting smoking

– Eating a healthy diet

– Managing diabetes

– Having regular eye examinations.

Conclusion:

The first World Report on Vision is a key document for global eye health. It will help to strengthen eye care globally and make it more equitable. The report makes clear that there is an urgent need for action to improve eye health, and sets out a roadmap for how this can be achieved. We hope that this guide will be useful in helping to implement the recommendations of the report. Thank you for your time.