Focus on Vision Foundation

Refractive error problems in development countries

• a lack of opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists and equipment;
• the high costs of refractive services;
• a lack of public awareness; caused by poverty and non accessible areas;
• Socio-cultural barriers to the use and wearing of spectacles.

WHO: Approx. one billion refractive errors remain uncorrected that results in:

• 6 million* blind people (10% of total number of blind people worldwide);
• 100 million* people suffer from irreparable visual impairment;
• Immense negative influence on both individuals and communities.

A WHO program, Vision 2020: The Right to Sight aims to eliminate these problems. More information can be found in the Who report.