Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention:
About the Research Agenda
More on Research:
Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention:
- About the Research Agenda
- Preface
- General Introduction
- 1. Cataract
- 2. Trachoma
- 3. Onchocerciasis
- 4. Xerophthalmia
- 5. The Glaucomas
- 6. Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- 7. Refractive Error
- Closing Considerations
- Appendix 1:
Distinguishing Characteristics of Persistent Ocular Diseases
- Appendix 2:
Research Goals: Prioritization and the Means to Move Forward
- PDF file of complete Research Agenda (176 Kb)
On this page:
- ICO Committee proposes a "Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention"
- Agenda focuses on the underserved
- Emphasis on epidemiologic and operational research
- Starting point for work toward shared goals
- Committee proposes ongoing development
- ICO seeks comments on Research Agenda
- Research Agenda available as PDF
- Committee members
- Research Agenda evolved from ophthalmology's Vision for the Future
ICO Committee proposes a "Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention"
The Research Committee of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) has defined a "Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention."
The Committee report "creates an unprecedented opportunity for the entire ophthalmic community to advance the research agenda to preserve and restore vision," said ICO Secretary General Bruce E. Spivey, MD.
Chaired by ICO Research Director Alfred Sommer, MD, the Committee met in October, 2002, and outlined opportunities for research in seven clinical areas (see Contents).
(The ICO is the executive body and operational arm of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS).)
Focus on the underserved
The Research Committee's greatest concern was identifying research opportunities that would benefit underserved populations of poor countries.
The report "concentrates on those ocular diseases and conditions that cause the greatest vision disability in the largest number of individuals, particularly conditions being addressed in efforts to dramatically reduce unnecessary visual impairment and blindness among poor people, whether in the first or third world, urban or rural."
Emphasis on epidemiologic and operational research
In defining the Research Agenda, the Committee focused on "identifying opportunities in operational and epidemiologic research, which are neither well recognized nor well funded, and offer the most immediate opportunities for facilitating blindness prevention today and in the short- to medium-term."
Starting point for work toward shared goals
The Research Committee suggested that its recommendations were broadly relevant to those interested in advancing blindness prevention, including the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS) and the Non-Governmental Development Organization (NGO) community.
The Committee said that it hoped the report would be "helpful to many individuals, organizations and institutions working toward our shared goal; and provide a useful starting point for those wishing to define the research agenda anew."
Committee proposes ongoing development
The Research Committee considers the Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention a living document.
The Committee recommended that the ICO facilitate "input, comments, and recommendations from interested individuals to encourage the continual growth and refinement of this report in an iterative process engaging the larger vision-research community."
ICO seeks comments on Research Agenda
The ICO is requesting comments on the report and research opportunities, priorities and progress.
Research Agenda available as PDF
The full report of the Research Committee is available as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file (176 Kb).
To read or print it, you will need Adobe Reader, which is a free download.
Committee members
Members of the ICO Research Committee are:
- Alfred Sommer, MD (Chair)
- Richard Abbott,MD
- Allen Foster, MD
- Serge Resnikoff, MD, PhD
- Paul Sieving, MD, PhD
- Hugh Taylor, MD
- Bjorn Thylefors, MD
- James Tielsch, PhD
- Sheila West, PhD
Research Agenda evolved from ophthalmology's Vision for the Future
Definition of the Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention is one component of implementation of international ophthalmology's Vision for the Future.
"Vision for the Future" is a global initiative to decrease avoidable vision loss and blindness by advanced education, enhanced eye care standards, sustained advocacy and increased research.
Sponsored by the ICO and the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis (AOI), "Vision for the Future" was defined at a series of conferences with broad international participation in 1999 - 2001. The ICO is coordinating implementation.
Next: Preface to the report
Also see: Table of Contents of the Research Agenda for Global Blindness Prevention