Key facts about Vitamin A and blindness
|
| Blind boy at school © Sightsavers |
How does Vitamin A deficiency cause childhood blindness?
Vitamin A deficiency causes the drying out and scarring of the outer eye. Corneal scarring is the world's most common cause of childhood blindness.
How many children have been blinded by vitamin A deficiency?
Almost 250,000 children have been blinded by vitamin a deficiency and a further 100 million are at risk
What is being done to prevent blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency?
Sightsavers is working to reduce the incidence and impact of corneal scarring by helping to facilitate the distribution of vitamin A capsules. Sightsavers also works through local partners to raise health and nutrition awareness
What is the scale of childhood blindness?
1.4 million Children around the world are blind. This is set to increase, as an estimated 500,000 new cases of childhood blindness are reported each year. Sadly, children in low-income countries are up to four times more likely to be blind than those in high-income countries, such as the UK. Alongside vitamin A deficiency, cataract, trachoma and river blindness are some of the other major causes of childhood blindness. Sightsavers is working with its local partners to eradicate all of these conditions and ensure that all children, whether blind or sighted, have access to an education, their most direct route out of poverty.
Statistics
Some facts about childhood blindness:
-
There are 1.4 million children who are blind in the world
-
90% of children who are blind don't go to school
-
Within two years of becoming blind, 50% of children die
Related Information
- It costs just £27 for a child cataract operation
Unified Solutions.