The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly is calling on its 193 member nations to ensure citizens have access to eye care in its first resolution focusing on vision health. The resolution named “Vision for Everyone” aims to help 1.1 billion people with impaired vision get the care they need by 2030. These “1.1 billion people have vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed, according to the resolution.

The resolution, adopted in July 2021, is sponsored by Bangladesh, Antigua and Ireland, and co-sponsored by more than 100 countries. These countries and more are calling for international financial resources allocated to vision care as it can be a detriment to economic and social development, especially in developing countries.

More than 90% of the 1.1 million people with vision problems live in low- and middle-income countries, and that more than half of blind individuals are women and girls, highlights Bangladesh’s U.N. Ambassador Rabab Fatima.

How Poor Vision Impacts Countries, Citizens

It is estimated that vision loss costs a global economy $411 billion in productivity each year; financial burden also falls on the patient as eye care costs increase household spending per capita by 88%, Fatima shares. 

These numbers could grow since global eye care needs are estimated to increase significantly— “half the global population expected to be living with a vision impairment by 2050,” the resolution says. 

What Happens Next?

General Assembly resolutions are not mandates, but it is important to take into consideration that they are global opinion. According to Hong Kong James Chen, a philanthropist who campaigned for the resolution, “The first step, now, is to ensure governments follow up on their commitment to action.” Additionally, he believes they should see vision care as an essential component of healthcare, as are family planning and infant immunization.

If countries follow through on the resolution, then Chen sees glasses being affordable and their distribution as possible.

The resolution would help the U.N. reach its goals of ending poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives and quality education, and reducing inequality.  It is “a long overdue recognition of the central role that healthy vision plays in human life and for sustainable development,” says Fatima. 

*Lederer, EM. Associated Press. (2021, July 24). UN adopts first resolution on vision, aims to help 1 billion. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/adopts-resolution-vision-aims-billion-79025076