Let us focus on making sure that every Indian can see clearly

In 2018, India achieved an incredible position as the country with the largest population of people without poor vision, despite decades of work to address the problem. According to a 2019 report published by EssilorLuxottica in consultation with global health experts (bit.ly/3Mp2iFG), an estimated 550 million Indians need interventions to ensure they see clearly and achieve their best corrected vision. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated (bit.ly/3MsQPoO) 270 million of them have moderate to severe levels of vision loss (9.2 million were blind).

Nevertheless, India is not alone in this situation. As EssilorLuxottica reports, 2.7 billion people worldwide, or 1 in every 3 people on the planet, still have uncorrected vision that can be corrected through a simple pair of glasses.

This is a number that we must all commit to reduce. After all, poor vision is a problem with a solution. According to research from The Lancet Global Commission on Global Eye Health (bit.ly/3rKRjNs), “encouragingly, over 90% of people with vision loss have a preventable or treatable cause with current highly cost-effective interventions.” “

This is good news for India. We have seen our government turn interventions into outcomes by eliminating other serious public health issues including polio, tetanus and tuberculosis.

In 1994, the country launched its pulse polio program (bit.ly/3EDHFUm) at a time when India had 60% of the world’s polio cases. Two decades later, India received ‘polio-free’ certification from WHO. Similarly in 2015, tetanus was no longer listed as a public health threat in India. And in 2017, the government launched the National Strategic Plan to Eliminate Tuberculosis, which would treat 9 million patients with the disease at a cost of $320 million per year, working toward eradication by 2025. The plan was updated to refocus efforts in 2020, and recommend a multi-stakeholder approach, including investment in the community, private providers, employee systems and diagnostic equipment, all of tuberculosis. Continues to emphasize on early diagnosis of patients.

Given the major public health breakthroughs already achieved, with India’s commitment to the First Resolution (bit.ly/3RUqUHq) on the vision of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, aimed at ensuring global access to eye health Since, we believe good eyesight can and should be given priority now.

By implementing a similar coordinated approach, India can add the eradication of uncorrected poor vision to this remarkable list of achievements by following this two-pronged approach.

Through strategic partnerships and programs focused on increasing access to vision care, complemented by philanthropic efforts, millions of Indians can access (perhaps for the first time) a pair of glasses that will forever change their quality of life . Assuming a 10-year program cost estimate of $300 million, eradication of poor vision could prove to be as cost-effective as other public health challenges already addressed at a higher cost. By committing itself to tackling poor eyesight, India will be able to get much more out of its investment – ​​access to vision care and health services through better infrastructure, increasing income by creating efficient micro-entrepreneurs and increasing national productivity. Adding an estimated $37 billion in ,

There are many effective programs that can be made to address the issue of poor vision in India. For example, the partnership between Skill India and the National Skill Development Corporation, which allocated $615 million to train 3.5 million youth and build 700 skilling centers, could be leveraged. Additionally, a government program allocating $85 million for non-communicable diseases—including eye health services—distributes more than 1.6 million pairs of glasses annually under various private plans. By working closely with the private sector and philanthropic foundations, we can effectively reduce the total estimated cost of solving this silent public health crisis.

Undoubtedly, India has taken the necessary action to tackle poor vision and raised it to the level of priority with its commitment to the United Nations Resolution on Vision for All and the WHO’s goal of increasing access to 40% by 2030. Is.

This World Sight Day, October 13th and beyond, our actions should be more than just good intentions. Today’s India has proven knowledge and resources, roadmaps and tools, the power and the people to effect change.

Will India be the first country where everyone can see clearly? The time to make that choice is now.

Swati Piramal and Anurag Hans are the Vice Chairpersons of Piramal Group and Head of OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, respectively.