Eye health, vision impairment and blindness
In the Western Pacific Region, over 90 million people experience visual impairment, including 10 million that are blind. Blindness can be avoided in 8 out of 10 cases with appropriate treatment or early prevention.
Eye health can be promoted through the integration of comprehensive eye-care services into existing health systems. General approaches are evidence-based advocacy, development and implementation of eye health policies and programmes, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to strengthen eye health towards achieving the global target of a 25% reduction in the prevalence of avoidable visual impairment by 2019 (from the 2010 baseline). The WHO Blindness Prevention and Control programme supports Member States to reduce avoidable vision impairment as a public health problem and to secure access to low-vision and rehabilitation services for those in need.
In the Western Pacific, the most frequent conditions that can be targeted effectively with preventive strategies include congenital and acquired eye conditions, such as retinopathy of prematurity in newborns, diabetic retinopathy in adults, ocular infections and inflammations. Additionally, cataracts, refractive errors, and posterior segment disease are the most common causes of blindness and low vision in the Region. Interventions to prevent vitamin A deficiency, measles, trachoma, and rubella are highly effective in reducing the risk of eye conditions.
A good example of prevention in countries of the Western Pacific has been the elimination of the bacterial infection trachoma, which can provoke blindness. Cambodia, China, and Lao PDR have been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma. Furthermore, in 2017, Vanuatu was the first Pacific island to eliminate trachoma.
Although effective interventions and coverage exist to the Region to address two the leading causes of vision impairment - refractive errors and cataracts – countries are working to increase eye care. By 2030, all countries in the Region are working to increase effective coverage of refractive errors by 40% and an increase effective coverage of cataract surgery by 30%. Highly cost-effective interventions for these conditions, including spectacles and cataract surgery can substantially improve a person’s quality of life.
Vision impairment that cannot be corrected or reversed requires rehabilitation measures, including low vision aids and assistive technologies. For those living with blindness, braille reading, counselling, home skills training, mobility training with white canes, and digital assistive technologies can ensure free, independent, and safe mobility.
To achieve better visual health in the Region, WHO is working closely with Member States and stakeholders, such as the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and the Singapore National Eye Care, to plan and deliver Integrated people-centered eye care (IPEC).
Treatment and care for many eye conditions can be improved by implementing IPEC, and promoting comprehensive treatment and intervention across the life course. Additionally, countries are also working to improve data on better treatment processes in order to improve overall care.
