The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

Eye health and vision have widespread and profound implications for many aspects of life, health, sustainable development, and the economy.Yet nowadays, many people, families, and populations continue to suffer the consequences of poor access to high-quality, affordable eye care, leading to vision impairment and blindness.In 2020, an estimated 596 million people had distance vision impairment worldwide, of whom 43 million were blind.Another 510 million people had uncorrected near vision impairment, simply because of not having reading spectacles.A large proportion of those affected (90%), live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).However, encouragingly, more than 90% of people with vision impairment have a preventable or treatable cause with existing highly cost-effective interventions.Eye conditions affect all stages of life, with young children and older people being particularly affected.Crucially, women, rural populations, and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have vision impairment, and this pervasive inequality needs to be addressed.By 2050, population ageing, growth, and urbanisation might lead to an estimated 895 million people with distance vision impairment, of whom 61 million will be blind.Action to prioritise eye health is needed now.This Commission defines eye health as maximised vision, ocular health, and functional ability, thereby contributing to overall health and wellbeing, social inclusion, and quality of life.Eye health is essential to achieve many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Poor eye health and impaired vision have a negative effect on quality of life and restrict equitable access to and achievement in education and the workplace.Vision loss has substantial financial implications for affected individuals, families, and communities.Although high-quality data for global economic estimates are scarce, particularly for LMICs, conservative assessments based on the latest prevalence figures for 2020 suggest that annual global productivity loss from vision impairment is approximately US$410•7 billion purchasing power parity.Vision impairment reduces mobility, affects mental wellbeing, exacerbates risk of dementia, increases likelihood of falls and road traffic crashes, increases the need for social care, and ultimately leads to higher mortality rates.By contrast, vision facilitates many daily life activities, enables better educational outcomes, and increases work productivity, reducing inequality.An increasing amount of evidence shows the potential for vision to advance the SDGs, by contributing towards poverty reduction, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, and decent work.Eye health is a global public priority, transforming lives in both poor and wealthy communities.Therefore, eye health needs to be reframed as a development as well as a health issue and given greater prominence within the global development and health agendas.Vision loss has many causes that require promotional, preventive, treatment, and rehabilitative interventions.Cataract, uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, agerelated macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy www.thelancet.