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Regional and International Initiatives for Healthy Eyes and Vision

In recent years, calls for the inclusion of eye health and vision in political agendas have been growing in Europe and around the world. In 2014, the European Coalition for Vision (ECV) released a press statement to this effect, in which it claimed they eye health ha been neglected in the political arena for too long, to the detriment of efforts to reduce preventable blindness and vision loss.

Similar initiatives have been launched by several other regional and international organisations, including the European Blind Union, the Global Coalition on Aging (GCA), the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

We’re taking a look at some of the recent initiatives, their aims, and how they are being implemented in the UK and across Europe.

The National Eye Health Strategy Bill (England)

In 2023, a Private Members’ Bill was debated in the House of Commons. The National Eye Health Strategy Bill called for the Secretary of State to publish a national eye health strategy for England. The strategy would include measures for:

  • Improving eye health incomes;
  • Reducing waiting times for eye health care;
  • Improving patient experiences;
  • Ensuring providers of eye health care work together efficiently;
  • Increasing the capacity and skills of the eye health care workforce;
  • Making more effective use of research and innovation in eye health care.

The call for a National Eye Strategy has been backed by a number of organisations and charities who have joined the “The Eyes Have It” Partnership. Members of the partnership include the Macular Society, Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation, the RNIB, the Association of Optometrists, and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

The Bill was introduced by Labour MP, Marsha De Cordova, who led the debate in parliament. De Cordova, who has nystagmus and is registered blind, is the MP for Battersea. Despite widespread support for the initiative, there is still no national strategy for eye care in England or the UK. Instead, eye care services continue to be commissioned locally. However, in response to increasing political pressure, in 2023, NHS England appointed a national clinical director for eye care to oversee service recovery and transformation efforts.

Including Vision and Eye Health in the Green Paper on Ageing (Europe)

In 2021, a joint letter by the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO), the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) called on the European Commission to include vision and eye health in a proposed Green Paper on Ageing, titled “Fostering solidarity and responsibility between generations“, as well as any future work and policy initiatives.

It noted that the risk of vision loss increases as we age, with over 73% of people with vision loss being older adults. Those affected struggle to read, learn, or gain fulfilling employment and are more likely to suffer depression, exclusion, and premature death.

The co-signatories highlighted the importance of promoting regular eye checks, not only as a vital tool for eye care, but also general healthcare, as the back of the eye is the only part of the body where blood vessels can be assessed without the need or invasive procedures. As such, health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and multiple sclerosis (MS) can often be detected through an eye exam.

In relation to this, the coalition requested that the European Commission take several steps:
  • Acknowledge the importance of vision and eye health as part of long-term care.
  • Include the need for adequate regulation and recognition of primary eye care providers at national level to ensure the full potential of the workforce is used to achieve the needed access, availability, and quality.
  • The promotion of regular eye health checks be supported by public policy and awareness.

The UN’s “Vision for Everyone” Resolution on Eye Health

In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the “Vision for Everyone; accelerating action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” Resolution, committing to prioritising the eye health of 1.1 billion people living with preventable sight loss by 2030. The move marked a milestone as the first agreement designed to tackle this issue adopted by the UN.

The resolution calls on member states to ensure full eye care services for their citizens and to support global efforts to make eye care part of the journey to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It was passed unanimously by all 193 member countries of the United Nations.

W. Aubrey Webson, Ambassador to the UN, applauded the adoption of the resolution: “An eye test for a child can be the difference between inclusion and or exclusion; A pair of prescription glasses, the difference between access to information and seeking a livelihood and not. Corrective eye treatment, the difference between improved sight and total loss of sight. The gift of sight for the 1.1 billion people living with preventable sight loss is within reach if we ensure world leaders deliver on this moment.”

Progression of the targets laid out in the resolution are being overseen by the United Nations Inter-Agency Expert Group. Meanwhile, countries need to report on their progress on eye health as part of their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented at the High-Level Political Forum.

The Importance of Access to High-Quality Eye Care

Poor eye health can present a significant personal and societal burden, potentially affecting inclusion, employment, and overall quality of life. As such, adequate eye care is an essential part of wider healthcare. Yet, despite the NHS recommending that adults should attend an eye test at least every two years (children should attend annual tests), such examinations are rarely prioritised.

Regular eye tests not only allow the early diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors and eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and lazy eye, but they can also be important in detecting the early signs of more general health concerns, including diabetes and hypertension, before symptoms become noticeable.

As Professor Reinstein explains, one of the most important ways to prevent and treat eye disease is to have proper eye examinations. In addition to routine eye tests with an optician, everyone should have proper eye exams with an optometrist – at least once in their 20s, once in their 30s, and every 2 – 3 years after the age of 40.

If you’d like to learn more about prioritising your eye health, or discuss our treatment options for common refractive errors, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today.