Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future: Introduction to Part 1

Introduction

Worldwide, about 45 million persons are blind and 135 million persons are visually impaired - impaired so severely that they cannot read newsprint with either eye even with best possible eyeglasses.¹

Even more compelling, it is estimated that the number of blind and visually impaired will double, rising from 180 million to 360 million persons by 2020, unless concerted action is undertaken to stem this toll.

Much of this vision loss is avoidable - either preventable or treatable - with currently available knowledge and technology.

Therefore, The International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan to Preserve and Restore Vision - Vision for the Future is designed to encourage, enhance and coordinate activities of the approximately 150,000 ophthalmologists worldwide and the many additional thousands of physicians, health specialists and societal leaders in a sustained program to decrease blindness and visual impairment throughout the world.

Nearly two-thirds of global blindness and visual impairment is in the developing world, but programs to preserve and restore vision can be improved in every continent and in every country.

Thus, The International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan to Preserve and Restore Vision - Vision for the Future is a worldwide initiative to promote the best possible vision for every person.

Vision for the Future identifies worldwide goals and objectives of ophthalmology and eye care, outlines strategic directions for cooperation and coordination among ophthalmologic organizations and other entities, and focuses on activities by ophthalmologists and ophthalmologic organizations that are most appropriate to the preservation and restoration of vision.

Vision for the Future stems from a planning session, organized by the International Council of Ophthalmology and the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis in Egypt, on February 24 - 27, 1999.

Participants included members of both organizations, members of the Advisory Committee of the International Council of Ophthalmology, and other individuals invited as consultants.

At a second meeting in Orlando, Florida, on October 23, 1999, the Strategic Plan was discussed and revised with additional consultants.

Results of that Planning Meeting and intervening actions by consultants were further assessed during Strategic Plan meetings in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 20, 2000 and in Dallas, Texas, on October 21, 2000.

Vision for the Future is a multi-year activity directed and coordinated by the International Council of Ophthalmology, the executive body of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies.

The International Council of Ophthalmology includes elected members and representatives of the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis, multinational ophthalmology organizations, and international non-governmental organizations.

The International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan to Preserve and Restore Vision - Vision for the Future is projected as a multi-year, flexible and interactive program.

Flexible in that the program will undergo a continuing process of review, modification and updating.

Interactive in that Vision for the Future envisions partnerships with global, national and institutional programs sponsored by organizations and entities committed to the elimination of avoidable blindness.

To facilitate this essential evolution and advancement, Vision for the Future, Part 1, presents the principal international ophthalmology goals.

Vision for the Future, Part 2, presents policy and information statements that are particularly likely to undergo advancement that reflects experience, scientific progress and environmental change relevant to worldwide preservation and restoration of vision.

Reference:

1. Global Initiative For The Elimination of Avoidable Blindness.
   World Health Organization/PBL/97.61

Next: Mission Statement

Also see: Table of Contents for Vision for the Future