Durban Declaration on Refractive Error and Service

Development

DURBAN, South Africa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Key public health bodies and healthcare professionals
today watched as the Durban Declaration was signed at the World Congress on Refractive Error to
advocate public health strategies for an end to unnecessary blindness from uncorrected refractive
error affecting more than 300 million people in the world today.
The Declaration states refractive error is a major health issue impacting on individuals, their
families and communities and which is a contributing cause of poverty in the world. Avoidable
blindness and impaired vision, which has an estimated global economic impact of $US42 billion
annually, half of which is due to refractive error.
The impact of refractive error services would make a profound impact on reduced levels of child and
adult literacy rates and significantly impact on poverty through increased employment opportunities
and productivity, contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Over 650 international delegates at the Congress heard that the major challenge ahead was to
ensure that those blind or vision impaired due to refractive error not only needed access to an eye
examination and a pair of affordable glasses, but that health, education, social welfare systems
needed to empower communities, parents and children to contribute to improving their own eye
health.
The Declaration recognized that the greatest contribution to a severe worldwide lack of refractive
error services was the lack of trained personnel to provide them; a need that was most pronounced
in poor and marginalized communities.
The Declaration resolved to:
Create global awareness of the impact of refractive error on sufferers, their families and community
and the need for services; Advocate to National Governments and world health care agencies for the
policies, services and resources required to meet the needs. Strive to overcome the barriers that
prevent those with refractive error and low vision from obtaining the same services, rights and
opportunities as others; Ensure refractive error services are prioritized in planning and development
of National Health Plans; Invest in training of eyecare workers and professionals; Support the
establishment of global distribution channels to make high quality spectacles available; Encourage
research and application of the results to achieving the most effective solutions; and Work to build
relationships with private sector and service providers to expand availability of sustainable services.

The Congress was hosted by the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and attended by
representatives of World Health Organisation (WHO), International Agency for the Prevention of
Blindness (the peak body on avoidable blindness), World Council Optometry, International NGO
planners, professional associations and leading clinical and public health scientists.
The Declaration was signed by the Chairs of the IAPB, ICEE and the Congress Chair.
Congress Chairperson, Professor Kovin Naidoo, said today, the discussions leading up to the
Declaration will have a monumental impact on how we view the current eyecare crisis in so many
countries in the world. In most developing countries, there are no Optometrists, no schools of
Optometry and no one to provide the appropriate refractive error services for the population. It is
crucial that these services are established, he said.
Chair of ICEE, Professor Brien Holden said, at this very historic congress we have identified that
while the magnitude of the problem is beyond our original estimations, the need is urgent and the
solution is achievable.
For a full copy of the Durban Declaration download at www.icee2007.org.za after 4.00pm, 16 March,
2007.
For more information on the congress please visit our congress website. If you are interested
interview or more information please contact: Steph OConnell.
ICEE would like to thank our supporters and sponsorsWorld Council of Optometry IAPB CIBA Vision
Essilor Institute for Eye Research Transitions Bausch & Lomb Africa Office: 272 Umbilo Road,
Durban 4001 South Africa Tel/Fax: +27 31 202 3811 Email: icee@icee.africa.co.za Global Office:
Level 4, North Wing, Rupert Myers Building, UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia Tel: +61 2 9385
7435 Fax: +61 2 9385 7436 ABN. 86 081 872 586
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