Killing Blindness and Poverty with One Stone

Melbourne, Australia —22 October, 2007— Research has shown that the poor who live at a socio-economic disadvantage run a higher risk of blindness. A study in published in the special issue of Clinical and Experimental Optometry finds that many cases of blindness in developing countries are unnecessary and suggests eradicating blindness by addressing both conditions of poverty and blindness in tandem.

“Prevention schemes alone will not reduce global burden of blindness, rather, implementing preventive and rehabilitative measures that work in conjunction with economic development is the most prudent approach to eliminate blindness”, says Dr. Rohit Khanna – lead author of the paper, “Blindness and poverty in India: the way forward”.

Many causes of avoidable blindness stem from poor hygiene, lack of immunization, malnutrition and lack of access to primary health and eye care. The main causes of needless blindness include cataract, trachoma and childhood blindness associated with Vitamin-A deficiency.

The study asserts that development programs need to be linked to other development programs such as education, general hygiene, and child health for a lasting effect. Unaccompanied blindness prevention efforts will only serve as a short-term solution.

Each disease control measure would have impact on access to education, equitable distribution of opportunity and wealth, and employability. Ultimately, it is through these measures that poverty and therefore ill health can be alleviated.

Dr. Rohit adds, “75% of all forms of blindness are treatable and preventable by cost-effective methods. Unless timely and appropriate measures are taken, the current level of blindness will double by 2020 with economic losses coming close to US$150 to US$250 billion.”

*****

This paper is published in the November 2007 issue of Clinical and Experimental Optometry. The journal is one of the 16 Wiley-Blackwell journals participating in the Council of Science Editor’s (CSE) Global Theme Issue dedicated to poverty and human development.

Media wishing to receive a PDF or schedule media interviews with the authors should contact Alina Boey, PR & Communications Manager Asia at alina.boey@asia.blackwellpublishing.com or phone 613-83591046.