Globally, nearly 1 billion people live with moderate or severe distance vision impairment. Of those 1 billion people, 94 million are impacted by cataract impaired vision, most of whom live in low to middle-income countries such as Tanzania where limited access to eyecare can mean a life of blindness. Cataract blindness is curable with a 20-minute procedure that is 97% successful. Without surgery, a person becomes dependent on others for care, often losing their ability to work and therefore contribute in their community. The consequences of cataract blindness in developing countries such as Tanzania, have a ripple effect. Often, family members become primary caregivers due to lack of resources in these often-remote areas. As a result, these family members are denied the ability to work and/or go to school, perpetuating the poverty cycle.
Refractive error stands as the second-leading cause of treatable blindness, closely following cataract blindness. An estimated 800 million people have distance or near vision impairment due to the lack of access to proper refractive correction (ie. access to appropriate spectacles). Just like cataract blindness, this eminently treatable condition perpetuates the cycle of poverty, casting a shadow over the lives of countless individuals and communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
While refractive error impacts all demographics of a community, the urgency is greatest when it comes to children grappling with low vision. Untreated refractive error in childhood can lead to a condition called amblyopia, resulting in irreversible vision loss if not addressed early on. The correction of refractive errors with appropriate glasses is among the most cost-effective interventions in eye care.
