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A dynamic platform for global eye health data, trends and insights — informing critical decisions and action.
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The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health
New research by IAPB, Seva, and The Fred Hollows Foundation confirms that eye health is one of the best buys in global health, with every $1 invested yielding $28 in economic returns.
Age standardised prevalence of all sight loss:
Number affected by sight loss:
Click to view country data
Age-standardised prevalence of all sight loss, 2020
3-6%
6-9%
9-12%
12-15%
15-18%
18-21%
21-24%
24-27%
27-30%
How to cite: Bourne R, et al. Trends in prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment over 30 years: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet Glob Health. 2020. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas.
1.1 billion
people live with sight loss
$411 billion
is lost each year from the global economy due to sight loss
90%
of sight loss is preventable or treatable
The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health
Scaling proven solutions to sight loss in low- and middle-income countries will improve eye health, overall health, learning, jobs, and productivity – delivering one of the best returns in global health.
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Africa
South East Asia
Routine monitoring of cataract surgery outcomes needed to improve coverage in Kenya and Nepal
Interviews in Kenya and Nepal reveal two very different cataract systems running into the same limit.
North America
Ophthalmologist workforce gaps persist in rural United States counties
From 2010 to 2021, more than three quarters of rural counties had zero practicing nonfederal ophthalmologists.
Europe
The economic burden of blindness and vision impairment in Slovenia
Vision loss cost Slovenia €5.54 million in direct healthcare expenditure in 2022, with further costs from sickness absence.
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Interactive data story
Better Education In Sight
Uncorrected refractive error costs children worldwide 6.3 million years of schooling and $173 billion in future earnings every year.
Interactive data story
The Value of Vision
Investing $7 billion in eye health across low- and middle-income countries could return $199 billion in economic benefits — making it one of the best buys in global health.
Interactive data story
Effective cataract surgical coverage
Cataract surgery is fast, straightforward, and inexpensive. However for millions around the world, it remains out of reach.
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View global eye health insights and trends on our global data dashboard.
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Contribute to the Vision Atlas
Share your data to support eye health— email us to learn more.
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Data contributors
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The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health is available online.
We also provide detailed data and visualisations at both global and country levels, which can be explored on the IAPB Vision Atlas. Offering comprehensive insights to support evidence-based investment in eye health.
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