Global Eye Health, Blindness Prevention and Community Ophthalmology

Global eye health requires coordinated efforts to prevent avoidable blindness and ensure access to quality eye care. This session focuses on community ophthalmology, blindness prevention, screening programs, and strategies for addressing disparities in vision care. Discussions will cover cataract, refractive errors, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, childhood vision disorders, and other major causes of visual impairment. Community-based screening and outreach programs can support earlier diagnosis and timely treatment. Digital technologies and teleophthalmology may help extend specialist services to underserved populations. The importance of affordable treatment, trained healthcare professionals, public awareness, and sustainable eye-care systems will also be considered. Collaboration among healthcare institutions, governments, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and industry partners will be encouraged.