Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment Worldwide The Challenge: Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment Worldwide (Data from the World Health Organization - WHO)

The World Reality (WHO Global database 2002) 230 studies 96 countries Population based survey, WHO definition Data from other sources and/or other definition No data available

Magnitude (2002 population) Global estimate (best corrected VA) Visual impairment: 161 million of whom: 37 million Blind 124 million Low Vision

Visual Impairment Regional Distribution Best corrected Visual Acuity < 6/18 (0.3)

Number of Visually Impaired (per Million Population)

Global Distribution of Blindness (by Cause) 1995 vs. 2002 Cataract 47 % Trachoma 4 % Glaucoma 12% Oncho. 1 % Other 13 % ARMD 9% Ch Bl 4% DR 5% CO 2002 Other 28 % Cataract 42 % Oncho. 1 % Glaucoma 14% Trachoma 15 % 1995

Global Trends in Blindness Original factors remain unchanged… Global Trends in Blindness Vision 2020 still relevant! Ageing + Population growth + Underdevelopment

Cataract Surgical Rate < 500 < 125 125- 249 250 - 499

Immediate Implications Unfinished agenda: Refractive Errors Trachoma Onchocerciasis Xerophthalmia Cataract Diabetic Retinopathy Glaucoma

Medium/Long Term Implications Changing Patterns: More linked to lifestyle, chronic diseases Age-related Macula Degeneration 3rd Global Cause 1st Cause in an increasing # of countries

Number of Persons with Diabetes (in millions) WHO, Wild & Roglic, 2004