Blindness and Vision Loss in the Future

Rupert Bourne, a Professor of Ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and colleagues analyzed more than 500 studies to forecast the prevalence of blindness and vision loss in the coming decades. The research predicts that blindness and severe vision loss will impact nearly 900 million people globally by 2050. Vision impairment affects 338 million people today. Professor Bourne said:

"It is encouraging that age-adjusted prevalence of blindness has reduced over the past three decades, yet due to population growth, progress is not keeping pace with needs. We face enormous challenges in avoiding vision impairment as the global population grows and ages. One of the issues we faced when compiling this data is that for many countries, including the UK, there is a lack of accurate information due to the fact the population has not been officially surveyed for eye disease and its consequences. High quality, current data on eye health and also hearing loss, is needed so the UK can plan future services in the most effective way, improve outcomes for those affected, and develop a more effective public health strategy in these crucial areas. Without this, the provision of services is a postcode lottery as we don't understand the unmet need."

The findings will appear in The Lancet.

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"Blindness and sight loss to double by 2050"