Access to basic eye care lacking globally, says WHO

A study led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Vision Loss Expert Group has identified millions of people across the world who lack access to basic eye care.

Published in The Lancet Global Health, the research measured the global availability and quality of treatment for uncorrected refractive error.

‘Data from 815,000 people across 76 countries in our new study shows that we are off track to meet World Health Organization (WHO) targets,' said Professor Rupert Bourne from the Vision Loss Expert Group.

Prof Bourne, who was also professor of ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University, added that urgent global action was needed to reach the goal of a 40% increase in spectacles coverage by 2030.