What's new at the back of the eye?

The changing demographic pattern of visual impairment VISION 2020 and the prevention of visual impairment are moving into the political and public spotlight. Recent WHO discussions on the growing incidence of chronic, age-related, non-communicable diseases indicate that visual health and its preservation are now receiving attention. Recent publications illustrate the changing demographic pattern of visual impairment, implications for public health and possible interventions to control sight-threatening conditions. Both The State of the World’s Sight, VISION 2020: the Right to Sight, 1999-2005,1 published jointly by WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), and an article in the World Health Bulletin, November 2004,2 illustrate these trends. The recent WHO data on blindness give clear evidence: among the causes of blindness, the share of chronic, age-related, non-communicable potentially blinding eye conditions is dramatically increasing (Figure 1, over page). The State of the World’s Sight provides an insight into what has thus far been achieved in the prevention of visual impairment through international alliances and collaboration since the launch of VISION 2020 in 1999. Attempts to modernise the attitude of health care providers towards the preservation of visual health have been further cultivated by the representatives of many WHO member states when adopting, in 2003, the Resolution on the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness, and when preparing a new resolution for the World Health Assembly in 2006. What does all this mean for eye health care professionals – new challenges, new opportunities?