Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 2: Report on Advocacy for the Preservation and Restoration of Vision

On this page:

• Overall Perspective
  
  
• Progress on Task Force Action Plans
  
  
• World Sight Day

Hugh R. Taylor, MD, Goal Chairman
Gottfried O.H. Naumann, MD, Goal Co-Chairman
Yves J. M. Pouliquen, MD, Goal Co-Chairman
Bruce E. Spivey, MD, Goal Co-Chairman

1. Overall Perspective:

There are two key roles for international ophthalmology to play in terms of advocacy. The first is to participate actively in the Global Initiative - VISION 2020, and the second is to provide information to national ophthalmic societies through the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO).

1.1 VISION 2020

The International Council Of Ophthalmology (ICO) has become an active member of the VISION 2020 task force. This is a key development and now puts ophthalmology actively in the international program.

Many of the objectives set out in the International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan To Preserve And Restore Vision: Vision For The Future parallel and iterate the plans and objectives of VISION 2020.

International ophthalmology needs to continue to provide active leadership and ophthalmic input into VISION 2020 as it develops.

1.2 INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY TO NATIONAL SOCIETIES

An outline of material that could be sent to national societies has been developed, but to my knowledge has not yet been distributed.

I believe that this important administrative responsibility should be the specific responsibility of an individual who would prepare material and provide it under the auspices of the ICO to national groups.

This would require a liaison function and ongoing attention and coordination.

The appointment of a part-time Executive by the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to coordinate the World Sight Day activities provides a useful model as to how this activity should be conducted.

I believe it is of absolute importance that the ICO utilise its connections and network with national ophthalmic groups to inform them of the international activities in VISION 2020 and to coordinate these activities.

2. Progress on Task Force Action Plans:

2.1 OPHTHALMOLOGICAL AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT

Little activity has occurred in this area, and I believe that increasing public awareness of blindness prevention is a key area that requires secretariat input as outlined above.

2.2. NATIONAL STATISTICS AND PRIORITIES

It is undoubtedly important that blindness data be collected and made public on a national level. I am not sure that there is a key role for the ICO to do this directly.

On the one hand, action could and probably should be initiated through the World Health Organization (WHO) to ask member states to report blindness statistics and prevention activities. This reporting would make an important change in the priority given to blindness.

Systematic reporting is an issue that should be taken up with the IAPB and other members of VISION 2020 to encourage preparation of a position statement to present to the WHO.

On the other hand, national societies should also be actively encouraged to request their national governments to collect and collate blindness data.

An annual review of progress should be incorporated into World Sight Day activities.

2.3 ECONOMIC BENEFIT

The need for data on the economic impact of vision loss and the economic benefit gained from prevention of blindness activities is of critical importance.

Assembly of this data will require specific research studies, and although the ICO can highlight the importance of these activities, I do not believe the ICO itself will contribute to the generation of these data. ICO advocacy should be to the VISION 2020 group to keep the need for this research in a prominent position and also to encourage national societies to try to obtain such data at a local level.

2.4, 2.5 ALLIANCE -VISION 2020

A close working relationship has already been established with the ICO joining the VISION 2020 initiative, and this close working relationship needs to be actively continued. Participation in VISION 2020 is seen to be the key.

2.6, 2.7 SCREENING PROGRAMS AND EYE CARE PROGRAMS

These activities really need to be conducted at a national or a local level rather than the international level.

The role for the ICO is to provide information and material that would be of assistance to national societies. This could partly be achieved through the ophthalmic awareness and commitment activities as mentioned above, and also through the distribution of clinical practice guidelines.

3. World Sight Day

October 12, 2000, the second Thursday in October, has been designated World Sight Day and members of VISION 2020 are actively supporting this initiative.

This year's activities will include a major event in Beijing and other meetings, publicity events and screening activities in a variety of countries.

The ICO has not been able to fully utilise this opportunity this year, and will need to develop better links with its national societies to help inform them so that they can engage with other groups in their country to coordinate World Sight Day activities.

August 1, 2000

Next: International Council of Ophthalmology Advocacy Sub-Committee on VISION 2020 Plan of Action

Also see:

• Research in Ophthalmology and Vision
  
  
• Table of Contents for Vision for the Future