Focusing on the working population, the researchers say that nearly three-quarters (70%) of the workforce needs vision correction. The key facts about the eye health presented at the World Health Organizations site are worrying:
- 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 246 have low vision.
- About 90% of the world’s visually impaired live in low-income settings.
- 82% of people living with blindness are aged 50 and above.
- Globally, uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of moderate and severe visual impairment; cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in middle- and low-income countries.
- The number of people visually impaired from infectious diseases has reduced in the last 20 years according to global estimates work.
- 80% of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured.
Globally the major causes of visual impairment are:
- uncorrected refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism), 43 %
- unoperated cataract, 33%
- glaucoma, 2%.
Focusing on the working population, the researchers say that nearly three-quarters (70%) of the workforce needs vision correction. I trust you’d agree that primary care physicians are not asking questions relating to the vision problems, unless they become obvious. This is because they are dealing with so many other questions. But, we can be more proactive ourselves and do many things that could benefit us as individuals – employees, as well as employers, by paying attention to the vision problems and preventing more serious eyes diseases.
Although today treatments for the vision correction or removal of cataract – the two most common eye impairment, are widely available, access barriers such as insurance coverage, treatment costs, operation waiting time, patient choice, or lack of awareness prevent many people from receiving the proper treatment.
Croatia has internationally recognized experts in treating various eyes problems. In the specialized clinics they are combining knowledge, technology and integrity in a caring, friendly environment. Recently, the U.K. National Health System has approved our partner-clinic and recommended them for their patients. We are glad and proud that we can contribute, even to a tiny degree, to improving the eye health to people who come and seek for the advice or come to resolve their concrete problems swiftly and within affordable package.
Our advice is to visit one of our eye partner clinic and check your vision, even during your holidays or business trip to our country. With early diagnosis and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.
And, remember, 80% of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured!
