Eye Care Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Countries.

Abstract

With every challenge comes opportunities for innovation, improvement and learning. At this year’s COECSA Annual Congress we look forward to welcoming you to Arusha and challenging you with new ideas and research on the theme of “Eye care challenges and opportunities in developing countries”.The challenge of providing optimal eye care in Africa is substantial. In 2010 it was estimated that 4.8 million people were blind and a further 16.6 million suffered moderate to severe visual impairment in Africa. Given that approximately 70 – 80% of global blindness is avoidable or preventable, there is an enormous burden of visual impairment caused by potentially curable causes, particularly cataract and refractive error. Relieving the burden of cataract and refractive error requires a focus on facilitating access to healthcare facilities and ensuring sufficient human and resource capacity to provide high-quality cataract surgery, refraction and spectacle dispensary. Outreach clinics, patient education and the training of more optometrists and ophthalmologists are going a long way to breaking down these barriers.