Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 1: Primary Strategic Directions

The International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan to Preserve and Restore Vision - Vision for the Future recognizes the importance of international cooperation and coordination among individuals and organizations with similar goals of vision preservation and blindness prevention.

To fulfill its mission, international ophthalmology will:

Encourage all ophthalmologists to devote a portion of their energy and resources to eliminating preventable vision loss and blindness throughout the world.

Stimulate an increased commitment to the preservation and restoration of vision and prevention of blindness among all national and supranational ophthalmologic organizations and all specialty ophthalmologic organizations.

Work with the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to encourage actions by ophthalmologists and ophthalmologic organizations in support of the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness/VISION 2020.

Demonstrate the personal and economic benefits of ophthalmologic care and of programs to preserve and restore vision to the public at large, to governmental officials and to other authorities in an effort to encourage allocation of the resources necessary for the eradication of avoidable blindness.

Support basic science and clinical research in ophthalmology and vision. Of particular merit is research focused on meeting the need for increasingly effective prevention and treatment of eye disease and vision loss.

Promote flexibility to incorporate experience derived from special circumstances that vary throughout the world, scientific advances and environmental changes relevant to worldwide preservation and restoration of vision.

Next: International Ophthalmology Goals

Also see: Table of Contents for the Vision for the Future