Worldwide, at least 2.2 billion people suffer from near or distance vision impairment, ranging up to permanent blindness. For more than one billion of them, this impairment is caused by an eye condition that could be treated or could have been prevented through basic care such as wearing glasses or undergoing cataract surgery. Without sufficient investment, this number could rise to 1.8 billion by 2050.
Globally, the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness are:
- refractive errors
- cataracts
- diabetic retinopathy
- glaucoma
- age-related macular degeneration
Some of these conditions, such as trachoma and cataracts, must be diagnosed and treated promptly to prevent vision loss.
Uncorrected Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are disorders caused by an irregularity in the shape of the eye that makes it difficult to bring images into focus, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. They include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia.
161 million people live with uncorrected refractive errors, making them the most common cause of visual impairment. Globally, it is estimated that only 36% of people with distance vision impairment due to a refractive error have access to corrective glasses (source: WHO). Without appropriate correction, refractive errors can lead to blindness, of which they are the second leading cause worldwide.
Eye Diseases
Eye diseases are distinct from refractive errors. They take many forms: while some produce noticeable symptoms (discomfort, pain, reduced visual acuity, visual field loss, or double vision), others only become apparent at a late stage, which is why regular ophthalmological examinations are essential.
There are also variations in the causes of visual impairment both between countries and within them, depending on the availability and affordability of eye care services. For instance, the proportion of visual impairment attributable to unoperated cataracts is higher in low- and middle-income countries.
Access to Eye Care: A Major Challenge for Rural Populations
Eye disorders are a particularly pressing concern in these countries, where many people cannot afford a sight test or glasses to improve their vision. Access to eye care is also a significant challenge for rural communities. In the regions where OPC operates, the majority of ophthalmologists and optometrists are based in urban areas, creating a shortage of trained professionals in rural zones.
Reducing and correcting refractive errors is essential to providing sustainable, comprehensive eye care. Working alongside its partners and donors, OPC ensures that uncorrected refractive errors are addressed as part of its comprehensive eye care programs across French-speaking Africa.