This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Ophthalmologists play key role in gaining support for Vision 2020 goals
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
NUSA DUA, Indonesia — To obtain the goal of eliminating world cataract blindness by 2020, ophthalmologists as individuals and in societies play a key role in generating support for necessary programs throughout the world, a speaker here said.
 Hugh R. Taylor |
In the De Ocampo award lecture given at the joint meeting of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Hugh R. Taylor, AC, MD, said that while much has been accomplished toward the Vision 2020 goals, avoidable vision loss is still a major concern.
Prof. Taylor said Vision 2020 has had success with the SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental change) program for trachoma education, the Pfizer Zithromax (azithromycin) donation program to treat trachoma and the Merck Mectizan (ivermectin) donation program to battle onchocerciasis. However, new long-term challenges are on the rise, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Uncorrected refractive error, which was under-diagnosed for a long time, is also a challenge, especially in developing countries, according to Prof. Taylor.
Prof. Taylor said advocacy is needed to combat these challenges. "Good data are essential for effective advocacy," he said. "We need to speak in one voice, speak often with our policy makers, make sure policy implementers are kept informed and use our media contacts."
On an individual level as advocates, Prof. Taylor said it is also important to inform colleagues, patients and friends about Vision 2020.