On World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, the World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying efforts to address vision impairment across Africa, where preventable blindness remains a pressing public health challenge.
Good vision enhances well-being, education, employment, and economic productivity, yet aging populations, unhealthy lifestyles, and limited access to eye care services contribute to rising cases of conditions like cataracts and refractive errors.
WHO Africa Regional Director, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, decried that African has reduced vision loss resulting from conditions such as vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma.
The global organization also noted environmental factors, inadequate knowledge of good eye health practices, low awareness, altered diets, sedentary lifestyles, and an increase in noncommunicable diseases, result in an increase in preventable vision impairment and blindness, such as refractive errors and cataracts.
To address the increasing challenge posed by refractive errors and cataracts, Global initiatives, such as Vision 2020: the Right to Sight, have aimed to eliminate avoidable blindness, with a focus on expanding cataract services.
The WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative, launched in June 2024, seeks to ensure universal access to quality, affordable eye care by 2030, emphasizing stronger service delivery, workforce expansion, and public awareness. In 2021, the World Health Assembly set ambitious targets for 2030: a 40% increase in refractive error coverage and a 30% increase in cataract surgery coverage.
Despite progress, challenges persist in Africa, where only 26% of those needing cataract surgery and 30% requiring vision correction have access to effective treatment.
“In 2021, only 32% of Member States had developed a national policy document specifically addressing vision loss and blindness. This limited policy coverage reflects a broader gap in prioritization and resource allocation for eye health.“The current levels of service coverage also highlight the magnitude of unmet need,” Dr Janabi lamented.
WHO urges countries to integrate eye care into health systems, leverage tools like the WHO Eyes app for vision screening, and raise awareness to reduce stigma.
“The observance of World Sight Day today also presents an opportunity to encourage individuals to reconsider their daily habits and adopt preventive measures against vision impairment and blindness, such as regular eye examinations and timely medical attention.
“Through these actions, optimal eye health and the advantages of good vision can be achieved,” Dr Janabi said.
Through strategic policies, sustainable funding, and public engagement, WHO is driving action to ensure equitable eye care and a future free from avoidable blindness in Africa.