European Coalition for Vision issues warning

A newly formed European Coalition for Vision has met with the EU officials to reiterate its call for European decision-makers to include eye health and vision in the political agenda.

The coalition, launched by members including the Optical Confederation in February (News 07.02.14), staged a meeting with the Directorate General for Health and Consumers and Eurostat at the beginning of the month.

Bob Chappell, past president of the European Council of Optometry and Optics, said: ‘Europe is facing an invisible epidemic, with an estimated 20.4 million people in the whole of Europe suffering from serious vision impairment – including 2.3 million who are blind. Without adequate action, these worrying numbers will only increase with the rise of diabetes and the ageing population. Shamefully, two-thirds of these cases could actually be prevented or treated and are not.’