Making the Case for Government Support

ICO Advocates5th June 2010, Berlin

Hugh R Taylor AC, MDTreasurer, International Council of Ophthalmology

Vice President, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Professor of Indigenous Eye Health, University of Melbourne

45 million

Cataract

RefractiveErrors

Trachoma

Vit A Def

Oncho

DiabeticRetinopathy

Glaucoma

AMD and other

diseases

60% 15% 15% 10%

Causes of Global Blindness 1995

40

2530

38

50

90

60

0

25

50

75

100

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Global Blindness Projections, 1995millions

Goal: The elimination of avoidable blindness by 2020, in order to give all people in the world, the right to sight

VISION 2020 is all about Partnerships

Technical Assistance

CapacityBuilding

National Partners - National Vision 2020 PlansSustainable program delivery

WHO

“Vision 2020 is all third world stuff.” “What relevance is it to us?” “Look at all the things we can do now… …so blindness is not a problem in my country

BUT Vision 2020 is the Right to Sight for all - not for all except Australians

or Americans or Europeans…

Visual Impairment and BlindnessAustralia - 2004

40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+Age

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Blindness

Visual Impairment

Clear Insight 2004

Prevalence of Vision Impairment, USA

Arch Ophthal 2004

Vision Impairment

Blindness

Depression

Dementia

Asthma

Osteoarthritis

CHD

Type 2 Diabetes

Vision disorders

Oral health

Breast cancer

Prostate cancer

Melanoma

HIV/AIDS

0% 2% 4% 6% 8%YLD as percent of total YLD

Years of Life Lost to Disability (YLD)

www.cera.org.au

Total Costs of Vision DisordersAustralia, 2004

Clear Insight 2004; www.cera.org.au

Life Expectancy

Vision Impairment and Blindness 2004 - 2024

2000 2004 2010 2014 2020 2024

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

0

Vision ImpairmentBlindness

Blindness – Australia, 2004

Refractive ErrorOthers

Diabetes andother Retinal

Cataract

Glaucoma

MacularDegeneration

4%8%

1.5%

10%

12%

14%

48%

Neuro-ophthalmicRetinitis Pigmentosa 3%

Vision Impairment – Australia, 2004

Other

Neuro-ophthalmic

Other Retinal62% 4%2%

3%2%

14%

3%10%

DiabeticRetinopathy

Cataract

Glaucoma

AMD

Refractive Error

Three Quarters of Vision Loss in Unnecessary

• It is preventable or treatable• It is caused

– AMD– Cataract– Diabetic Retinopathy– Glaucoma– Refractive Error

What do we need to do about it?

3 “Simple” Things1. Prevent the things we can

prevent2. Treat the things we can treat3. Solve the remaining problems

1. Prevent the Diseases We Can Prevent

Eye health promotion initiatives to reduce avoidable vision loss

• Regular eye exams• Protection of the eyes

2. Treat the Diseases We Can Treat

Adequate funding for services for treatable conditions

• Cataract surgery

• Diabetic retinopathy screening

• Low vision support services

3. More Research to solve the present problems

Adequate funding for research into causes of vision loss and blindness that at present cannot be prevented or treated

• AMD and Glaucoma

Eye Care Intervention Package 3 “Simple” Things

2005-6 CostNet benefitTotal Savings

$188.8m$-25.7m$911m x4.8

Lifetime CostNet benefitTotal Savings

$1,620m$662m$10,016m x6.2

www.cera.org.au 2005

National Eye Health Framework

Key Areas for Action1. Reducing the risk2. Increasing early detection3. Improving access to eye care services4. Improving the systems and quality of

care5. Improving the evidence base

2006 $14m for 3 years for Australia2008 $24m for Australia and

$45m for Pacific Region2009 $58m for Aboriginal eye and ear health

$50m for Bionic Eye Research

www.health.gov.au/internet/eyehealth 2009

What can we do to close the gap?

• Think globally - act locally

• For the developing world– Be aware– Be supportive or an advocate– Change your research– Become an Albert Schweitzer

• For home– 3 “Simple” Things

• glaucoma, diabetes, underserved

– Advocacy

What can we do? -- Advocacy

• Good data are essential for effective advocacy

• Need clear and concise presentations

- key messages- targeted for audience

• Need to speak in one voice• Talk often with policy leaders• Make sure policy implementers are

kept informed• Use media contacts

“Because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do”. Helen Keller

The elimination of avoidable blindness is an achievable goal; it is something we can do.