Access to Ophthalmic Care in Third World Countries: A Brief Analysis of Official Data

Introduction

Access to eye care is a fundamental aspect of public health that affects the lives of millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, in third world countries where resources are limited, many people still face vision loss problems that can be both treated and prevented. Analyzing official data on eye care in these regions can be crucial to understanding the current state and identifying areas for urgent improvement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that eye disorders affect more than 4% of the world's people, of which approx. 90% live in low-income countries. What's more, nearly 82% of the blind globally are aged 50 and older.

The WHO calls low vision moderate and severe visual impairment. In turn, according to the accepted nomenclature, visual impairment is nearsightedness or blindness.

The most common causes of visual impairment worldwide include refractive errors (42%), cataracts (33%) and glaucoma (2%). The predominant cause of blindness is cataracts (51%), followed by glaucoma (8%) and macular degeneration (a.k.a. age-related macular degeneration - AMD) (5%).

However, in developed versus developing countries, the figures look different - in developed countries, AMD accounts for about 50% of visual impairment (percentage calculated without refractive errors).

WHO mentions that 80% of all eye diseases are either preventable or treatable.

State of Access to Ophthalmic Care

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), many third world countries face a shortage of medical personnel specializing in ophthalmic care. There are a small number of qualified ophthalmologists in these areas compared to the needs of the population. In addition, health infrastructure, including clinics and hospitals, is often underdeveloped or inaccessible to residents of remote areas. The current figures are alarming.

Availability of Preventive Measures and Treatment

In third world countries, the availability of preventive measures such as eyeglasses or medication for eye conditions is often limited. This leads to many people with eye problems not receiving adequate help or treatment in a timely manner. Lack of health education and awareness about the importance of eye care also exacerbates the problem.

Social and Economic Implications

The unavailability of eye care in third world countries has serious social and economic consequences. People with vision problems often face difficulties in carrying out daily activities, which limits their educational and professional opportunities. This in turn can lead to greater poverty and social marginalization.

Innovations in Improving Access to Ophthalmic Care

Despite the challenges, there are hopes for improving access to ophthalmic care in third world countries. In recent years, there has been an increase in innovations such as telemedicine and training programs for medical personnel that can help reach more patients. In addition, nonprofit organizations and government agencies are making efforts to make preventive measures and treatment more accessible to those in need. Modern technology using advanced algorithms, machine learning and artificial intelligence could be an opportunity to improve this.

Summary

Analysis of official data on access to ophthalmic care in third world countries reveals existing challenges and potential opportunities to improve the situation. Action is needed at the local, national and international levels to ensure equal access to quality eye care for all. Innovation, health education and support from the international community can play a key role in achieving this goal and improving the quality of life for millions of people around the world. FEYENALLY team, working on a diagnostic app for detecting refractive defects using only a smartphone, wants to change this and make access to vision diagnostics available to everyone. Without creating expensive infrastructure, logistical facilities in response to the needs of the 21st century in the field of vision defect diagnosis using new technologies.