Does the Current Global Health Agenda Lack Vision?

Abstract

<h3>Key Messages</h3> Despite the successes of the VISION 2020 global initiative, large economic and societal consequences still exist across the life span from vision impairment and blindness, which have not yet been addressed by the global health community. There remains a lack of reliable global data on vision health, especially in the case of childhood blindness and vision impairment. Historically, vision has been poorly represented in global health budgeting and finance, which objectively reflects its lack of prioritization on the overall global health agenda. We need greater investment in cost-effective strategies to prevent and treat a rapidly increasing global burden of ocular disease because of an aging and changing population.