The World Health Organization(WHO) monitors worldwide trends in health problems and develops policies and strategies for prevention and care to ensure good health and long life for as many humans as possible.
When it comes to eye care, they have a list of “Priority Eye Diseases”. It amazes me that the top priority on the list is a condition that we here in America have deemed a commonplace problem with a simple cure! The WHO says that 50% of cases of blindness worldwide are caused by cataracts, which can be remedied with a quick outpatient surgical procedure in this country. Approximately 90% of visually impaired people live in developing countries.
Here is the list as described by the WHO:
- Cataracts
- River Blindness (aka Onchocerciasis)
- Childhood Blindness
- Refractive Errors and Low Vision
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Corneal Opacities
- Genetic Eye Diseases
The WHO is advocating for better education and removal of barriers to care for these disorders. Further research into treatment of many of these conditions is being conducted by scientists all over the world for a common goal… GOOD EYE HEALTH!
Written by Bart W., Technician with Milwaukee Eye Care
