WHO: ‘Time for optometry to step up to the challenge’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) chose a joint meeting of the World Council of Optometry and the American Academy of Optometry to present, for the first time, the main points outlined in the newly published World Vision report.

In an address to thousands of optometrists, vision care professionals and optometry students in Orlando last week, Dr Alarcos Cieza of the WHO challenged the profession to help improve the availability, affordability and quality of vision care in underserved communities and developing nations around the world.

The first ever WHO report to address vision was published against a background of 1bn people with preventable or yet to be addressed sight loss worldwide, including a major contribution from uncorrected refractive error, exacerbated by the increased prevalence in myopia. ‘This is a challenge to the eye care sector and urgent action is needed,’ said Cieza.