Definitions

Blindness
A presenting visual acuity of less than 3/60, or a corresponding visual field loss to less than 10 in the better eye with the available correction

Severe visual impairment

A presenting visual acuity of between less than 6/60 and 3/60

Moderate visual impairment A presenting visual acuity of less than 6/18 to 6/60

STATISTICS
According to the latest WHO estimates, about 314 million people worldwide live with visual impairment due to either eye diseases or uncorrected refractive errors. 45 million are blind, of whom 90% live in low-income countries

STATISTICS
Major Causes of Blindness
3% 4% 4% 7% 10% 18% 3%

1%

11% 39%

Cataract Glaucoma Corneal Opacity Trachoma Onchocerciasis

Uncorrected Refractive Errors Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Conditions in Children Others

Major Causes of Blindness

Cataract A clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Uncorrected Refractive Errors A refractive error, or refraction error, is an error in the focusing of light by the eye and a frequent reason for reduced visual acuity. Example: myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. Glaucoma An eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye(s) and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) A medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina.

Major Causes of Blindness

Corneal Opacity A disorder of the cornea, the transparent structure on the front of the eyeball, which can cause serious vision problems. Diabetic Retinopathy A retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness. Trachoma An infectious disease causing a characteristic roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. Onchocerciasis Also known as river blindness and Robles' disease, is a parasitic disease caused by infection by Onchocerca volvulus, a nematode (roundworm).

Source : Wikipedia

Major Causes of Blindness

Refractive Errors

Cataract

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Glaucoma

Major Causes of Blindness

Corneal Opacity

Diabetic Retinopathy

Trachoma

Onchocerciasis

WHO & World Sight day

World Sight Day (WSD) is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. Included on the official World Health Organization calendar, WSD is coordinated by IAPB under the VISION 2020 Global Initiative.

World Sight day program

On World Sight Day, VISION 2020 members work together to: Raise public awareness of blindness & vision impairment as major international public health issues.

Influence Governments/Ministers of Health to participate in and designate funds for national blindness prevention programs. Educate target audiences about blindness prevention, about VISION 2020 and to generate support for VISION 2020 program activities

R.I. PROGRAMS
Pioneering modern techniques of cataract surgery Reducing the cost of cataract surgery to as little as Rm 100.00

Setting up independent and commercially successful Intraocular lens (IOL) laboratories

Reducing the price of IOLs RM 50.00 Training local doctors and providing equipment in the countries where we work.

R.I. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Train teachers to check pupils visual acuity, evaluate visual problems and make referrals. Conduct Public Seminars on Avoidable Blindness with support of local eye specialists. Conduct medical camps with special emphasis on eye screening, particularly in the rural areas; sponsor cataract operation of the poor.