AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL POTENTIAL

Child eye health and education are inextricably linked in driving sustainable development and ensuring no child is left behind. Education is widely considered a fundamental human right and the basis for guaranteeing the realization of an adequate standard of living. However, if you struggle to see, you struggle to learn. Globally, at least 450 million children have a sight condition that needs treatment, with 90 million children currently living with some form of sight loss; the majority in low- and middle-income countries. Children are experiencing worsening vision at a faster-than-expected rate, with 50% of the world’s population expected to be myopic by 2050. Children with vision impairment are 2–5 times less likely to be in formal education in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, these children have poorer educational outcomes, are more likely to be excluded from schools, and will have far-reaching consequences on employment, earning potential and well-being.