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Avoidable, treatable vision loss an increasing problem in Eastern Europe
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VIENNA — Data collected as part of the World Health Organization's Vision 2020 initiative show that visual impairment and blindness is an increasing problem in Europe, particularly in Eastern European countries, according to a speaker here.
A population-based survey carried out in the capital district of Sofia, Bulgaria, found a significant burden of visual impairment and blindness, much of which is either preventable or treatable, said Petja Vassileva, MD, of Sofia University Hospital, at the joint meeting of the European Society of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
"Priority for action in our region include cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and childhood blindness," Dr. Vassileva said.
Nongovernmental organizations currently make significant contributions to the elimination of blindness in Bulgaria and other countries in Southeastern Europe. However, the newly founded South-East European Ophthalmological Society (SEEOS), with the support of the World Health Organization, is also beginning to play a vital role in advocacy, planning and implementation of Vision 2020 programs.
"The last ophthalmology congress in Bulgaria voted [to implement] a National Program for Prevention of Blindness, and the [Bulgarian] government is assuring coordination and partnership," Dr. Vassileva said.
The SEEOS will also pressure the governments of each member state to adopt similar provisions, she noted.