[UN]

July 2021 | Karen Anisko Ryan

On July 23, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first ever resolution on vision, designating its 193 member nations to ensure community access to eye health for the 1.1 billion people worldwide living with preventable sight loss by 2030. The resolution was introduced by Bangladesh’s U.N. Ambassador and sponsored by Antigua and Ireland as well as being co-sponsored by 100 other countries.

The resolution entitled, "Vision for Everyone", is designed to encourage countries to increase access for vision care services for their populations and make eye health part of their nation’s governmental health agenda. The resolution says, “Global eye care needs are projected to increase substantially with half the global population expected to be living with a vision impairment by 2050.” It also calls on international financial institutions and philanthropies to focus on the increasing impact of vision loss on economic and social development.

Robert N. Weinreb, MD, Chair and Professor, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Director, Shiley Eye Institute, states, “This announcement is a welcome and important milestone in worldwide efforts to treat and prevent blinding eye diseases.”

This resolution gives the global ophthalmology community opportunity to improve access to eye care for millions of people living with impaired vision and blindness around the world. These General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they do indicate worldwide outlook. For more information go to: https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/ga12349.doc.htm

The Shiley Eye Institute and the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at UC San Diego Health is the only academic institution in the San Diego area with comprehensive programs for the clinical care of patients with eye disorders, cutting edge research on surgical techniques and treatments, education in the field of ophthalmology, and innovative outreach to the community.