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The World Health Organization recently released data that reflects the gravity of uncorrected error and low vision:
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153 million people are blind or visually impaired due to uncorrected distance refractive errors (less than 6/18 in their best eye), including at least 13 million children and 45 million working-age adults. This data does not even include presbyopes, which could add another 150 million people to the count.
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90% of all people with uncorrected refractive errors live in low and middle-income countries
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Clearly, the magnitude of the problem is staggering -- and its impact on everyone profound. The burden of refractive error touches every man, woman and child. Whether it is an adult who cannot work or a child who cannot read… the burden falls upon the individuals, families, communities, countries and world. Ultimately, everyone is affected by the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error, either directly or indirectly.
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Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is a collaborative venture between the World Optometry Foundation, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) to raise funds for sustainable projects that address uncorrected refractive error and low vision. OGS plans to raise and distribute over US$900,000 in 2007 – a tremendous sum that will significantly contribute to the development and delivery of eye and vision care services in underserved areas. The burden of preventable blindness will be relieved as optometry maintains its leadership role and generosity.
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Each year, OGS identifies Priority Projects that address uncorrected refractive error and low vision. The Global Board (in consultation with Partners, National Committees and staff) is responsible for identifying projects that adhere to agreed selection criteria and project accountability processes. OGS National Committees provide input to ensure that they meet their local needs in terms of fundraising, ownership and local affiliation. The three Priority Projects for 2006-2007 are:
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1. Giving Sight to Blind Children
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More than 3,000 visually impaired children in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have improved access to education thanks to the ‘Giving Sight to Blind Children’ program.
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The program has expanded from its beginnings in Malawi, where 70% of children in a program for the blind were found to simply need a pair of eyeglasses or low vision aids to see clearly. It has since screened thousands of children across East Africa, with many receiving eyeglasses, low vision aids or being referred for medical intervention. Thanks to our partners, ICEE and Sightsavers International, these children — often from the poorest families — now have access to education and the chance of escaping the desperate cycle of poverty. But that’s not the end of the story…
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Human resource development is vital to the sustainability of these activities and six optometrists and two low vision therapists from the region received training as part of the program. Advocacy is another important component and our partners are working with the ministries of education and health to introduce school screenings as an integral element of the education system.
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2. Vision for a Country: The National Refractive Error Program for South Africa
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The South African Department of Health estimates that 85% of its population relies on public health care; yet only 2% of optometrists work in the public sector. This means there are only around 50 optometrists to meet the needs of 38 million mainly poor people living in rural areas.
Estimates are that at least 10% of those South Africans between ages 15 to 42 have some refractive error, with the elderly, women and children disproportionately affected. A recent refractive error study in school-aged children revealed that, of those children requiring glasses, only 20% had them. The remaining 80 percent will struggle with learning and have significantly fewer opportunities as a result of poor vision.
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The challenge with the provision of quality eye care in South Africa is to attain an equitable distribution of services in the short-term, while developing a self-sustaining national program via capacity building for the long-term.
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3. Vision Care Service Development in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka has a population of more than 20 million people, but nearly 90% of these people have never had their eyes examined. Optometry Giving Sight has funded its partners and local non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka to support human resource development and the creation of infrastructure for vision care. More than 33,000 people have had their eyes tested and 28,000 pairs of glasses have been distributed. The training of local staff has proved invaluable in recent months with political instability interrupting partner visits to Sri Lanka.
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One reason for the lack of quality vision care in Sri Lanka is the scarcity of trained eye care professionals. Reports are that in one region alone, there is only one trained optician and one ophthalmologist serving a population of approximately 1.3 million people. In addition, the cost of a pair of glasses is way beyond the reach of most people in this country. It is estimated that up to 25% of the population need vision correction and have no access to it.
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Optometry Giving Sight is assisting with funding for service delivery, human resource development and the creation of infrastructure for vision care.
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The program in Sri Lanka is being implemented by the International Centre for Eyecare Education in partnership with the World Council of Optometry, the Optometrists Association of Australia and Sri Lankan non-governmental organizations, including the Centre for Health Care.
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Dr. Victor Connors (above), president of the World Council of Optometry and member of the Optometry Giving Sight Board and National Committee in the U.S., implemented the Practice Giving Program in October 2005. His practice, Isthmus Eye Care has raised over US$9,000.
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IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS MORE THAN US$100,000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY OPTOMETRY GIVING SIGHT TO SUPPORT EYE CARE PROJECTS IN SRI LANKA, SOUTH AFRICA, EAST AFRICA AND EAST TIMOR.
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WOF, IAPB and ICEE joined forces in 2003 to form Optometry Giving Sight. It is this commitment to the development of sustainable local programs that makes Optometry Giving Sight unique. Above, an optometrist works with a child in Kenya as part of the “Giving Sight to Blind Children” project, one of Optometry Giving Sight’s priority projects for 2006/7. So far, more than 3,000 children have been given sight by optometrists working in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
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OGS CHAIR Prof. Brien Holden
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