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The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health in China

Global investment case

Investing $1.34 billion USD in eye health in China over 2026-2030 will deliver $91.6 billion USD in economic benefits, as well as:

664,037 learning years

886 traffic deaths averted

43,525 traffic injuries averted

200,864 cases of depression averted

953 deaths averted

10,228 years of life gained

The benefits of investment

Good vision is foundational to economic and societal participation. Investment in eye care in China will lead to higher employment, improved productivity, better educational outcomes, reduced traffic accidents, and improved mental health and longevity.

Total economic benefit by 2030

Employment Benefits

$10.3 billion

Occupational Productivity

$61.4 billion

Caregiver Productivity

$7.65 billion

Learning Benefits

$12.2 billion

Total other benefits by 2030

Traffic deaths averted

886

Longevity (mortality averted)

953

Learning (equivalent years of schooling)

664,037

Traffic injuries averted

43,525

Longevity (years of life gained)

10,228

Cases of depression averted (visually impaired)

200,864

Economic benefits:

Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings

No data available

Social benefits over time

Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings

No data available

Sight loss averted by 2030

This investment in eye health would dramatically reduce the number of people with sight loss in China by 2030 and set the path for further declines by 2050.

The biggest early gains come from addressing presbyopia through cost-effective screening and ready-made near glasses, while reductions in distance vision loss will become increasingly important beyond 2030.

No data available

Accelerators in eye care needed in China

Our research has identified six key accelerator interventions which can help fight against sight loss and deliver huge productivity benefits back to countries by 2030

Select each accelerator intervention for more detail and recommended scale up over time.

Early detection through screenings in the community

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Give out reading glasses on the spot

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Increase workforce capacity for eye exams and dispensing glasses

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Boost surgical productivity and teams

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Remove barriers to access

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Make cataract surgery even better

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator

$383 million

Total investment required

Delivering the benefits outlined in this investment case will require an additional $1.34 billion USD over the next five years – beginning at $116 million USD in 2026 and scaling up to $357 million USD by 2030.

No data available

Accelerators in eye care needed in China

Here are the key actions for leaders worldwide to translate this investment case into reality.

Act

Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings

Allocate

Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings

Accelerate

Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings

Global investment case

See evidence on how scaling proven eye health solutions boosts health and education outcomes, employment, and productivity—delivering exceptional value for money.

View global summary

Global investment case

See evidence on how scaling proven eye health solutions boosts health and education outcomes, employment, and productivity—delivering exceptional value for money.

View global summary

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.

visionatlas.iapb.org

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