WHO Calling For Free Spectacles In World Economy Drive

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 07 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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International development agency Sightsavers International supports the World Health Organisation's (WHO) call for the distribution of low-cost interventions such as spectacles to help boost the global economy which loses billions of dollars each year due to visual impairments.

Studies have revealed that blindness contributes to poverty with people who are visually impaired more likely to be income poor and unemployed. In developing countries where the problem is most acute, it can be a challenge for people to get their eyes tested and to buy a pair of glasses. This is often because there are too few optometrists or eye care professionals, not enough equipment and also people simply can't afford prescription lenses. Not having glasses effectively renders people blind or visually impaired usually with disastrous consequences for their livelihoods, families, schooling and quality of life.

In 2008 Sightsavers screened more than two million people in three continents to ascertain if they needed glasses and provided 0.8 million people with spectacles and low vision devices. It also supported the training of 60 more optometrists to ensure more people could be screened in the future. The organisation can provide new glasses for as little as £1.50 per pair.

In addition to the 153 million people who are blind or visually impaired because they do not have glasses, a further 18 million people are blind because they are suffering from cataract and haven't received treatment. The 20 minute operation, which Sightsavers can provide for just £17 is among the most cost-effective of all health interventions, generating increased economic productivity equivalent to 1500 per cent of the cost of the intervention in the first year*.

Refractive Error specialist Hasan Minto, Programme Development Advisor at Sightsavers International commented: "The lack of refraction and provision of spectacles in eye care services in under-served communities has significant negative consequences in terms of lost education and employment opportunities. Sightsavers is working on the development of sustainable refractive error and optical services that will benefit such communities."

14 year old Ida from The Gambia has had her life turned around by her new specs. A Sightsavers-supported project enabled her to have her eyes tested and she was given glasses to correct the problems, meaning she could follow her dreams, helping to support her family and community. "I love maths and English and hope to go to university so I can become a school teacher."

* The WHO Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2008-2013. p34

Sightsavers International is a registered UK charity (Registered charity numbers 207544 and SC038110) that works in more than 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired. http://www.sightsavers.org

Source
Sightsavers International