Love Your Eyes

Dear Editor,

Vision impairment remains a significant global public health concern. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.

Good vision significantly enhances overall well-being, academic performance, employment opportunities, and economic productivity.  The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that the prevalence of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions is estimated to be 4 times higher than in high-income regions.

With regards to near vision, rates of unaddressed near vision impairment are estimated to be greater than 80% in western, eastern and central sub-Saharan Africa, while comparative rates in high-income regions of North America, Australasia, western Europe, and of Asia-Pacific are reported to be lower than 10%.   In Latin America and the Caribbean, nearly 78 million people live with vision loss. This includes 3.7 million blind people and an estimated 24.5 million people with moderate to severe impairment. Together, uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts account for more than half of vision loss among older adults.

Population growth and ageing are expected to increase the risk that more people acquire vision impairment.  World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy vision. This year’s theme is Love Your Eyes.

Further action is needed to ensure equitable and sustainable eye care across countries. It is critical that policy- makers redouble all efforts to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and empower individuals with sensory impairments. In the Jamaican culture, oftentimes the term ‘four eyes’ is used in a derogatory tone to describe those persons who wear eyeglasses.

Challenges of the Visually Impaired

Discrimination against the visually impaired remains a persistent issue worldwide. Despite significant strides in disability rights, many visually impaired individuals still face barriers in education, employment, and access to public services. Legal support plays a crucial role in dismantling these barriers and ensuring that the visually impaired can fully participate in society.   Other barriers to eye health are the cost for glasses and eye health care in general. Given that the universal health insurance is not universal many persons with vision impairment suffer in silence.

Undoubtedly, more public education campaigns are needed to counter the stigma as well as inform the citizenry of the importance of eye health. Policy-makers should also utilize global platforms, such as World Sight Day, to raise public awareness and promote early detection.  A central message of this significant day is that a majority of vision problems can be prevented or treated, and that simple interventions like glasses or cataract surgery can significantly improve lives.

Additionally, more support is needed for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are tasked with eye health. In observance of World Sight Day, the Jamaica Society for the Blind will be hosting an entire day of free eye screening and testing.  Legal advocacy is a critical tool in dismantling the entrenched discriminatory practices and beliefs the visually impaired community faces. Finally, policies for the visually impaired community must be purposeful and strategic to engender an inclusive and equitable society.

In the words of Helen Keller, the only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.

Yours truly,
Wayne Campbell