Ophthalmology needs around the world ...
The World Health Organization published in 2013 a global action plan 2014-2019 for eye health aimed at reducing avoidable visual impairments, as a major public health problem.
In 2010 almost 250 million people were visually impaired worldwide, including 39 million blind people. WHO estimates that by 2050 this figure will reach 115 million.
The consequences of visual impairment are multiple. Also according to the WHO, sufferers are three times more likely to be unemployed, to be involved in a motor vehicle collision or to suffer from depression and anxiety.
Thus, care and treatment actions for these populations have a health and potentially economic and social impact.
Globally up to 80% of cases of visual impairment and blindness in adults could be avoided or treated.
The figure below shows the concentration of ophthalmologists per million people worldwide.
90% of the visually impaired population lives in low-income countries.
WHO estimates that cataracts were the main cause of blindness in 2010 in the world, accounting for 40% of cases alone. Refractive errors are the cause of 20% of causes of blindness and glaucoma 10%.
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The world needs in cataract surgery are very important in the countries of the south. Currently 20 million cataracts are operated each year for a need estimated by the International Council of Ophthalmology at 100 million procedures per year.
Cataract surgery and correction of refractive errors are among the most cost-effective and cost-effective health interventions.
