The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one adult goes blind every second, and one child becomes blind every minute. Globally, an estimated 314 million people are visually impaired, including 45 million people who are blind – 90 per cent live in low-income countries.
With the move towards a more comprehensive approach to the health sector, it is time to recognise eye health as an essential component of a strong health system.
Sightsavers is at the 100% Optical conference in London on 24-26 February, to raise awareness about avoidable blindness and invite eye health professionals to help protect sight worldwide.
Zahra is one of the many children now thriving thanks to a Sightsavers programme to screen school students for eye conditions and health problems.
Sightsavers’ Hortance Manjo shares insights from the event in Zambia, which highlighted eye health for the first time.