VISION 2020

WHAT?

Global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness, launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in 1999 with an international membership of NGOs, professional associations, eye care institutions and corporations.

VISION 2020 member organisations are working together to eliminate avoidable blindness, to give everyone in the world the Right to Sight.

WHY?? SCENARIO

161 million people are visually impaired

314 million people are visually impaired

37 million blind,124 million low vision(2002 WHO; refractive error not included)

Every year 1-2 million people go blind One person goes blind every 5 seconds and One child goes blind every minute Without proper interventions 76 million people could be blind by year 2020 Yet 75% of blindness is avoidable

45 million blind (2006 WHO; included visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive errors)

AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS

Defined as blindness which could be either treated or prevented by known, cost-effective methods. VISION 2020 seeks to address the main causes of avoidable blindness, in order to have the greatest possible impact on vision loss worldwide Cataract Trachoma Onchocerciasis Childhood blindness Refractive error Low vision Glaucoma Diabetic retinopathy

VISION

A world in which no one is needlessly blind and where those with unavoidable vision loss can achieve their full potential. eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020
to prevent the projected doubling of avoidable visual impairment between 1990 and 2020.

intends to strengthen national health-care systems and facilitate national capacity-

HOW???

Facilitating the planning, development and implementation of sustainable national eye care programmes based on the 3 core strategies: 1. disease control, 2. human resource development and 3. infrastructure and technology, incorporating the principles of primary health care.

MODUS OPERANDI

WORLD SIGHT DAY(WSD)

World Sight Day (WSD) is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

On World Sight Day, VISION 2020 members work together to: Raise public awareness of blindness Influence Governments/Ministers of Health in developing countries Educate target audiences

World Sight Day 2008 (WSD08) focuses on the ageing eye, and vision impairment in older people.

The headline Eyes on the Future-fighting vision impairment in later life recognizes that in a world where populations are aging, and individuals are living longer, blindness from chronic conditions is also rising.

THE INDIAN SCENARIO

estimated 12 million blind people in the country. 90% of the blind live in Rural Areas. (increase in life expectancy + projected increase in country population)

likely to rise the blind to more than 18 million by the year 2020 as per current trends. Blindness-mainly a problem of developing countries like ours, but a problem, which could be avoided in up to 80% of cases.

Established in 2004, Vision 2020 India, is a National confederate Body to strengthen the implementation of the Vision 2020 activities in alignment to national objectives and targets and thus contribute to the elimination of avoidable blindness
o

to have an India free of avoidable blindness, where every citizen enjoys the gift of sight and the visually challenged have enhanced quality of life as a right.

NEED FOR THE INDIAN INITIATIVE

Vision for Vast Indian Population Incremental reduction of the burden of Avoidable Blindness - 75% Social Responsibility Imbalance and Inadequacy in Service Urban & Rural Overcoming obstacles in Outreach Necessity of Human Right / Dignity

INITIATIVES

Facilitation of State Action Plans Advocacy & Information Sharing Interface with Policy makers/Politicians Development of XI Five Year Plan for the National Program Celebrating World Sight Day as National Event Capacity Building of member organizations Consultation Regional Workshops / Seminars Networking Development of Long Range Strategic Plan to achieve the objective of VISION 2020 Brand Ambassador Mrs. Hema Malini

ACHIEVEMENTS

Since its launch, more than 100 Member States have been directly involved in the activities of VISION 2020.

Impressive successes in the prevention of blindness (for example in Gambia, India, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand) testify to the commitment of local VISION 2020 partners and demonstrate the impact and potential of this global initiative

CHALLENGES

Initiative does not operate in a static environment. More accurate estimates can be made of the extent of the problem and the patterns of causes in different countries and regions, adding to the agenda of VISION 2020. Prevalence of non-communicable chronic eye diseases continues to grow substantially Disparities in the allocation and availability of human and financial resources.

THANK YOU!