Why Preventing Blindness Matters
Preserving Opportunity
Blindness isn’t just a loss of sight—it’s a loss of opportunity and independence. In low-income countries, people who are blind or visually impaired face serious limitations in daily life. Accessible tools and resources that allow independence are often out of reach, leaving many people unable to secure jobs or financially support their families. For someone who loses their sight, this can mean the difference between independence and reliance on others for basic needs.
Blindness is particularly devastating for children. 60% of children in low income countries who go blind face fatal health complications within a year. For those who survive, the effects can last a lifetime, limiting their ability to learn, play, and interact with others. Since 80% of learning is visual, vision loss makes it challenging for children to keep up in school, often leading to academic delays and social isolation. Blindness also keeps them from participating in sports and other group activities, which are essential for building confidence and social skills.
90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable.
Screening Matters
Blindness and vision loss often go unnoticed until they significantly impact daily life, which is why early screening is so essential. Vision screening is the most effective way to identify visual impairments and a crucial first step in addressing blindness. It is cost-effective, quick, and ensures that issues are detected—even in patients who may not realize they have a problem. Screening provides a holistic approach to eye care, creating a foundation for preventative care and treatment across all ages. By prioritizing screenings, we can catch issues early, preserve vision, and prevent blindness before it begins.