The magnitude and cot of global blindne: an increaing problem that can be alleviated

Purpoe To identify the potential effect on global economic productivity of ucceful intervention, that are planned a part of the “VIION 2020—right to ight” initiative. The initiative aim to eliminate avoidable blindne. Deign Thi tudy ued economic and epidemiologic modeling. Method Exiting data and aumption about blindne prevalence, national population, gro dometic product (GDP) per capita, labor force participation, and unemployment rate were ued to project the economic productivity lo aociated with unaccommodated blindne. Reult Without extra intervention, the global number of blind individual would increae from 44 million in the year 2000 to 76 million in 2020. A ucceful VIION 2020 initiative would reult in only 24 million blind in 2020 and lead to 429 million blind peron-year avoided. A conervative etimate of the economic gain i $102 billion. Concluion The VIION 2020 initiative ha the potential to increae global economic productivity.