Optical Prism August 2021 | Page 34

OPTICALPRISM | NEWS

UN approves ' watershed ' resolution on vision care

All 193 countries of the United Nations have supported a landmark resolution , committing the international community to eye care by 2030 for the world ' s 1.1 billion people living with preventable sight loss .
The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A / 75 / L July 23 .
It sets a target for vision for everyone by 2030 , with countries set to ensure full access to eye care services for their populations , and to make eye health part of their nation ' s journey to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals .
“ The adoption of today ' s resolution on vision is a watershed moment in global efforts for vision care ,” UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima , representative of Bangladesh and co-chair of the Friends of Vision , said in a statement .
“ We were honoured and pleased to lead this resolution together with fellow Friends of Vision co-chairs ,
BILLION PEOPLE LIVING WITH PREVENTABLE SIGHT LOSS
Antigua and Barbuda and Ireland . 1.1 billion people live with preventable sight loss . Preventable sight loss is a global challenge that needs a global solution – and that is what we have agreed today . What we agreed today will make a world of a difference to the lives of billions and their families and communities .”
Sight loss is calculated to cost the global economy $ 411 billion in productivity each year , according to a news release from CooperVision .
The UN resolution is the first agreement designed to tackle preventable sight loss to be adopted by the United Nations and enshrines eye health as part of the United Nations ' Sustainable Development Goals .
It creates new expectations for international financial institutions and donors to provide targeted finances , especially to support developing countries in tackling preventable sight loss . And for the United Nations to incorporate eye health into its work , including through UNICEF and UN-Women .
The resolution calls for new targets on eye care to be included in the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals at its next review .
The plan will mean that by 2030 , the 1.1 billion people globally living with sight loss , will have access to support and treatment . But , campaigners say , only if governments and international institutions act now to fulfil their new commitments .
“ This is a landmark development by the United Nations General Assembly , clearly defining the need for treating vision impairments and preventing future sight loss worldwide ,” CooperVision president Daniel McBride says .
“ In becoming a Global Patron of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness last year , we believed the organization had the capacity to advance universal access to eye health — including bringing greater awareness and action to the growing prevalence and severity of myopia in children . IAPB ' s role in this momentous resolution , which is also aligned with CooperCompanies ’ support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals , deserves applause from across the entire eye care spectrum . It ' s up to all of us to help fulfill what the agreement sets out — industry , practitioners , institutions and governments alike .” OP
34 OPTICALPRISM | August Digital 2021