In an address to thousands of optometrists, vision
care professionals and optometry students in Orlando on Wednesday, Dr. Alarcos
Cieza of the World Health Organization (WHO) challenged the profession to help
improve the availability, affordability and quality of vision care in
underserved communities and developing nations around the world.
Her address was the inaugural public presentation of
the first ever World report on vision by WHO that identifies a profound need
for potentially life-changing vision care among 2.2 billion people on the
planet who suffer from vision problems, more than 1 billion of them with an
impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. The report
highlights disparities of care in developed and developing countries, in urban
and rural centers, among younger and aging demographics and between affluent
and impoverished populations. “We hope the eye care sector feels the same
urgency for action that we at WHO feel,” Dr. Cieza said. “Eye care is very,
very often not part of a health care strategic plan.”
The WHO World report on vision also anticipates a
growth in the number of people worldwide suffering from myopia or
nearsightedness. In 2010 myopia affected approximately 27% of the world’s
population. By 2050 with an aging population and a global increase in the
incidence of diabetes, that number is expected to climb to 50%. The report
identifies multiple reasons for the disparity such as inaccessibility of care
including lack of universal health coverage, lack of integration into the
health care system and in many countries, an uncoordinated and unregulated
workforce.
Tim McMahon, OD, FAAO, American Academy of Optometry
board president-elect says the organization accepts the challenge and will put
its weight behind developing solutions. “The optometric community has the
opportunity and obligation to address the issues raised in the World Health
Organization’s report. In the coming months, we will discuss how we can do
that,” he said.
Scott Mundle, OD, president of the World Council of
Optometry concurred, “We recognize the need that has been identified and as yet
unmet. Optometry is well-positioned and prepared to work collaboratively
towards a solution to these global eye health care issues.”
The Academy is a North American based association with
a global reach, serving over 13,000 optometric professionals and students. The
organization’s goal is to improve optometric practice through lifelong learning
with education and research. The academy is perhaps best recognized for its
coveted Fellowship program (FAAO) signifying adherence to the highest standards
of professional competence in vision care.
Academy 2019 Orlando and the 3rd World Congress of
Optometry is drawing more than 8,000 optometrists, ophthalmologists, vision
care professionals, students, support personnel and media to Florida to discuss
the latest optometric developments, trends and strategies. The World Council of
Optometry is pleased to partner with the Academy this year to bring awareness
of international optometry and the various eye care challenges globally.
For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/2019 or www.worldcongressofoptometry.org.
