Blindness in Asia A growing problem

According to estimations by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 45 million blind people worldwide, about 16 million of whom live in Asia. It is feared that these numbers will have doubled already in 2020. Paradoxically, eighty per cent of all blind persons would be able to see, work and maintain their families again after a relatively simple operation. As it is, the usually poverty-stricken countries have neither the medical knowledge, nor the facilities and the money for such operations.

With VISION2020, the Right to Sight, the WHO appeals to the world for help. Asian Eye Care supports this initiative by deploying ophthalmic teams and giving training and instruments to local hospitals. Young children also have our attention as an important risk group. In many cases, childhood blindness can even be prevented through proper nutrition and in particular vitamin A.