Poor Vision Impacts Global Economy
Poor vision is not only a public health issue, but a major social issue. Did you know that impaired vision is the most widespread disability in the world? It currently affects 4.2 billion people around the world, and according to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of all visual impairment can be avoided and cured.
Consider these statistics:
- Approximately 33 percent of the world’s working population has uncorrected vision problems that result in a $269 billion loss of productivity to businesses globally.
- Poor vision slows the education of school-aged children, resulting in academic under-achievement and risk of reduced adult literacy.
- Impaired sight is associated with 59 percent of driving accidents.
- Poor vision multiplies by seven the risk of falls and hip fractures in the elderly.
The Vision Impact Institute—a first-of-its-kind organization dedicated to socio-economic-related vision issues—is a global connector of knowledge, data and solutions for reducing the impact of impaired vision around the world. Its mission is to raise awareness of the economic impact of impaired vision through the guidance of distinguished international experts, such as Dr. Kevin Frick, Ph.D., Professor for the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
With the help of the Boston Consulting Group, members of the Institute collected studies from around the world and built a website to give researchers and the general public access to these studies in one location, www.visionimpactinstitute.org. Through the website, the Institute hopes to unite a community of experts and ignite a worldwide movement to increase scientific research and join the fight against impaired vision .
“We are calling on scientists and opinion leaders across the world to get involved in raising awareness about the global challenges of impaired vision,” says Jean-Félix Biosse Duplan, President of the Vision Impact Institute. “This is an ongoing process and the Institute will encourage further research to better assess the economic impacts of impaired vision for all regions and populations.”
Latest Press Releases
- 02/17/2015 Essilor Launches “Change Your View” Sweepstakes
- 02/03/2015 Essilor creates the Vision For Life™ program dedicated to eliminating poor vision
- 01/20/2015 Kids Vision Fest to Provide Eye Exams and Glasses at No Cost to 800 Children
- 01/13/2015 Essilor Independent Distributor Division Names 2014 Award Winners