1. World Health Organization
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment
Ivo Kocur
World Health Organization

2. The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness
WHO
The Global Initiative
for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness
by 2020
Countries
NGDOs
IAPB

3. Global Magnitude of Blindness and Visual Impairment
314 million people visually impaired (VA<6/18)
153 Million
Uncorrected
Refractive Errors
(Avoidable)
161 Million
Eye diseases
(Avoidable or
Not Avoidable)
49%
51%
© WHO

4. Global Causes of Blindness (Presenting Visual Acuity) - 2006
Cataract
39 %
Trachoma 3 %
Glaucoma
10%
Oncho. 0.7 %
Other
11 %
ARMD 7%
Childhood Bl. 3%
Diabetic Ret. 4%
Corneal Op. 4%
Uncorrected
Refractive
Errors
18%
© WHO 2006 %

5. Global Distribution of Blindness by Cause
Cataract 5%
Glaucoma
18%
Other 4%
ARMD
50%
Ch Bl 3% DR
17% CO
Cataract
50 %
Trachoma
4 %
Glaucoma
12%
Oncho 0.8 %
Other
14 %
ARMD 6%
Ch Bl 4%
DR 4%
CO 5%
More Developed
Countries
Less Developed
Countries

6. World Health Assembly Resolutions
on prevention of blindness and visual impairment
2003: WHA 56.26
2006: WHA 59.25

7. VISION 2020 National Plans
February 2009
Yes No
No data

8. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Timeline
July 2008
WHO decides to develop the Action Plan for submission to the WHO EB scheduled for January 2009
19 – 28 September 2008
A draft available on website for public comments
3 October 2008
Informal Consultation with Permanent Missions in Geneva
17 October 2008
Submission of the text to WHO Governing Bodies for editing and preparation for the WHO EB Meeting
19 – 27 January 2009
WHO Executive Board meeting

9. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Purpose
The plan aims to expand efforts by Member States, the Secretariat and international partners in preventing blindness and visual impairment by developing comprehensive eye-health programmes at national and subnational levels.

10. Relation to existing strategies and plans Time Frame
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Structure
Purpose and Scope
Relation to existing strategies and plans
Time Frame
Situation Analysis
Objectives and Action

11. Identification of gaps and limitations Proposed action
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Situation Analysis
Situation Analysis
Summary of the accomplishments in prevention of blindness to date and current situation
Identification of gaps and limitations
Proposed action

12. Member Secretariat States International Partners
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
Member
States
Secretariat
International
Partners

13. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
OBJECTIVE 1. Strengthen advocacy to increase Member States’ political, financial and technical commitment in order to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment

14. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
OBJECTIVE 2. Develop and strengthen national policies, plans and programmes for eye health and prevention of blindness and visual impairment

15. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
OBJECTIVE 3. Increase and expand research for the prevention of blindness and visual impairment

16. at national and international levels for
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
OBJECTIVE 4. Improve coordination between partnerships and stakeholders
at national and international levels for
the prevention of blindness and visual impairment

17. Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Objectives and Action
OBJECTIVE 5. Monitor progress in elimination of avoidable blindness at national, regional and global levels

18. WHO Executive Board meeting
Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Timeline
19 – 27 January 2009
WHO Executive Board meeting

19. World Health Assembly 2009 Action Plan for the Prevention
of Avoidable Blindness
and Visual Impairment