D 06 - Eye Health: An Underestimated Global Health Challenge

Globally 1.1 billion people are living with vision loss. However, more than 90% with vision impairment have a preventable or treatable cause with existing highly cost-effective interventions. The numbers will increase due to ageing societies, changes in lifestyle such as urbanization, a rising number of people living with diabetes and many other reasons. Eye health has to be integrated to UHC. The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health has published new findings which underline the relevance to the achievement of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This session will present and discuss the new findings of the WHO World Report on Vision and the Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health. On this basis different international stakeholders from academia, politics, civil society and industry will discuss on a panel how this global challenge can be addressed not only within the health sector, but also beyond. Further the session will give examples of innovative digital tools and ideas for diagnoses, inclusive prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to achieve more integrated people-centered eye health for all in the context of UHC.