Global blindness 2010: what do we know?. (June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Courtright, Paul; Lewallen, Susan
• Is Part Of: Expert review of ophthalmology. Volume 6:Number 3(2011)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2011-06
• Subjects: blindness -- cataract -- gender -- surveys; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1586/eop.11.24
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-9899

Abstract

Blindness is estimated to affect at least 37 million people globally; cataract continues to account for approximately half of all blindness, despite rising cataract surgical rates in most countries. The increasing amount of information on blindness from many parts of the world has allowed an improvement in the accuracy of global estimates, as well as provided evidence for more effective planning. There is growing recognition of significant variations in blindness numbers within countries and within regions; the reasons for the variations are multiple. Adoption of evidence-based strategies is imperative if the VISION 2020 goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020 is to be met.