Ending avoidable sight loss

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, 1.1 billion people live with sight loss because they do not have access to eye care services. Without change, this will rise to 1.8 billion people by 2050. As such, IAPB as a global voice for the eye care sector is working towards ending avoidable sight loss and providing access to affordable, accessible and inclusive eye care and rehabilitation services by bringing together various stakeholders. Aim: IAPB, an alliance of over 250 member organisations worldwide of various stakeholders wants to bring together its membership and develop a European Advocacy Network (EAN), which aims to: - Elevate eye health as a cross-cutting development issue, ensuring its inclusion in major EU policy developments and institutions leading to improved policy and country level action - Integrate eye health as part of European national health strategic plans and UHC frameworks - Strengthen European surveillance and reporting on eye health as well as holding Governments to account Methods: IAPB hosts the ‘2030 IN SIGHT LIVE’ conferences, dedicated to finding solutions to ensure eye health is available to all by 2030. The conferences set the base for the EAN and findings from the conference make up EAN’s key objectives. Findings: Based on information gathered through ‘2030 INSIGHT LIVE’, the EAN would have the following goals: Global advocacy: To raise the profile of eye care with key international institutions, so it receives the attention and resources needed to achieve universal access to eye health. - Connecting knowledge: To underpin our activities is our role in providing authoritative data and information and enabling access to up-to-date knowledge, information and practice. - Encourage everyone to Love Your Eyes: To lead global campaigns using existing days like WORLD SIGHT DAY to educate the public, governments, and world leaders to help raise the profile of eye health. We work with our global membership to make sure eye health receives the global political, health and development focus it needs and deserves. - Strengthening the network: We support active partnership building both between members and with other key sectors to tackle the barriers to delivering eye care for all. - Integrating People: providing support with training, infrastructure and continuous professional development. Conclusion: Along with the EAN strengthening the commitment for eye care in the EU, we aim to convene the first-ever GLOBAL SUMMIT ON EYE HEALTH in 2026. We hope to get SEEOS and its national ophthalmological associations fully on board and to support this great event and its goals to: ▪ Shine a spotlight on eye health so that it’s no longer a public health crisis no one knows about ▪ Critically galvanise action by governments to deliver on the global promises they have made ▪ Bring new funders and partners to the table ▪ Champion technology and innovation in eye health ▪ Agree on an eye health roadmap and accountability framework for the next 10 years.