Refractive Error: An International Public Health Crisis
Editor:
Riya Patel, BS
Riya is a second-year medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
The 77th annual World Health Assembly took place on May 30th, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. In collaboration, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a side event called "Universal Access to Glasses: Promoting Multisectoral Action," to advocate for international eye health and increase access to glasses that correct refractive error globally (1). Hosted by Malaysia and the Permanent Mission of Nepal, the focus of this event was to gain insights from leaders of IAPB and WHO. These leaders are passionate about the steps needed to successfully integrate refractive error services into all healthcare systems.
Unaddressed and unscreened refractive errors are a leading cause of vision loss amongst the billions of people who don’t have access to eye care services. These numbers are projected to rise, with potentially half the world’s population experiencing short-sightedness by 2050, thus significantly affecting the quality of life globally (1). However, IAPB’s CEO, Peter Holland, claims the simple solution to this neglected public health crisis has been neglected for too long: access to a pair of glasses (1).
At this event, a diverse group of experts shared their views on the challenges and opportunities of achieving universal access to glasses. Some highlighted points are outlined below:
Screenings are a crucial aspect of the identification of refractive error. The Director-General of Health in Malaysia, Dr. Muhammad Radzi bin Abu Hassan, highlights public and private efforts to provide free eye screenings to people of all ages, ranging from free government clinics for adults to health services provided in schools for children and adolescents (1).
WHO SPECS 2030 is an initiative that envisions a world where everyone has access to refractive error services. This program was discussed heavily in the panel regarding the global target of achieving a 40% increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. Specific engagement strategies included collaboration with the private sector to make commitments to decreasing barriers to refractive error services and utilization of a global network of organizations that can contribute to change at the country level (2).
Disparities between quality, access, and cost of refractive services and products are stark between developing and developed countries. Addressing these differences is crucial in the progress of achieving universal access to glasses, however, even these industry leaders admitted that the exact solution is difficult to devise and implement. They do agree that a multisectoral approach is the key, involving health professionals (like optometrists and ophthalmologists), regulatory bodies, the private sector, and governments.
Reversing the concept of neglect of eye care as a society can play an instrumental role in advancing the identification and correction of refractive error globally. Educating new mothers on the importance of eye health for their child, incorporating annual eye screenings with K-12 school health services, collaborating with electronic technology companies to implement tools to reduce eye strain on smartphones, or just encouraging shifts in lifestyles that factor in comprehensive eye health are all tangible approaches to the prevention and management of refractive error globally (1).
To watch a live stream of the event, please follow this YouTube link.
Keep an eye out for our August 2024 International Policy & Advocacy Editorial post that will cover the 13th Annual Focus on Eye Health Summit hosted by Prevent Blindness on July 10th-11th!
References
IAPB NGO. Universal access to glasses: Promoting multisectoral action | WHA 77 side-event. YouTube. June 7, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i45TuP-038.
World Health Organization. SPECS 2030. Available from: https://www.who.int/initiatives/specs-2030.
