The Inaugural World Congress on Refractive Error and Service Development

Ron Fyfe, WCO, Prof Dasarath Chetty, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr R. Pararajasagaram (IAPB), WHO Regional Office for Southeast Asia New Delhi, India, Gullapalli N Rao, Chairman, Board of Trustees & President, IAPB, Prof Brien Holden, Executive Chair International Centre for Eyecare Education

Durban , South Africa , Friday 16 March, 2007: Key public health bodies and healthcare professionals today watched as the Durban Declaration was signed at the World Congress on Refractive Error to advocate public health strategies for an end to unnecessary blindness from uncorrected refractive error affecting more than 300million people in the world today.

The Declaration states refractive error is a major health issue impacting on individuals, their families and communities and which is a contributing cause of poverty in the world. Avoidable blindness and impaired vision, which has an estimated global economic impact of $US42 billion annually, half of which is due to refractive error.

“Effective, equitable and affordable refractive error services would have a profound impact on reduced levels of child and adult literacy rates and significantly impact on poverty through increased employment opportunities and productivity” said Dr Nag Rao, President of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness.

Over 650 international delegates at the Congress heard that the major challenge ahead was to ensure that those blind or vision impaired due to refractive error not only needed access to an eye examination and a pair of affordable glasses, but that health, education, social welfare systems needed to empower communities, parents and children to contribute to improving their own eye health.

The Declaration recognised that the greatest contribution to a severe worldwide lack of refractive error services was the lack of trained personnel to provide them; a need that was most pronounced in poor and marginalised communities.

The Declaration resolved to:

• Create global awareness of the impact of refractive error on sufferers, their families and community and the need for services;
• Advocate to National Governments and world health care agencies for the policies, services and resources required to meet the needs.
• Strive to overcome the barriers that prevent those with refractive error and low vision from obtaining the same services, rights and opportunities as others;
• Ensure refractive error services are prioritised in planning and development of National
• Health Plans;
• Invest in training of eyecare workers and professionals;
• Support the establishment of global distribution channels to make high quality spectacles available;
• Encourage research and application of the results to achieving the most effective solutions; and
• Work to build relationships with private sector and service providers to expand availability of sustainable services.

The Congress was hosted by the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and attended by representatives of World Health Organisation (WHO), International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (the peak body on avoidable blindness), World Council Optometry, International Council of Ophthalmology, International NGO planners, professional associations and leading clinical and public health scientists.

The Declaration which will be submitted to the major global eye and health organizations, was endorsed by:

• Professor Kovin Naidoo, Chair World Congress on Refractive Error
• Professor Brien Holden, Executive Chair, International Centre for Eyecare Education
• Dr Gullapalli ‘Nag’ Rao, President International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
• Mr Thamsanga Mseleku, Director General, National Department of Health, South Africa

Congress Chairperson, Professor Kovin Naidoo, said, “…the discussions leading up to the Declaration will have a monumental impact on how we view the current eyecare crisis in so many countries in the world. In most developing countries, there are no Optometrists, no schools of Optometry and no one to provide the appropriate refractive error services for the population. It is crucial that these services are established.” he said.

Chair of ICEE, Professor Brien Holden said, “at this very historic congress we have identified that while the magnitude of the problem is beyond our original estimations, the need is urgent and the solution is achievable”.

Presentations and Videos Album - Congress Photos Congress Website - The Inaugural World Congress on Refractive Error and Service Development Download PDF - Durban Declaration on Refractive Error and Service Development