The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60179

Ian B Berger, MD, DrPH, InFOCUS, 3438 Topeka Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 and Robert S. Tolmach, BA, BArch, the WellGood Group, 330 E 38th Street #51-G, New York, NY 10016, 212 972 2368, rtolmach@ic-uc2.org.

With respect to the goals of the World Health Organization Global Initiative, Vision 2020, which include supplying vision care and eyeglasses to very large numbers of people in poor and remote areas, a campaign has been designed to convert donated and collected eyewear into components for assembly into prescribed new spectacles at optical depots in 100 locations around the world. These 100 Vision Depots and the 10,000 Vision Stations they support will eventually distribute 30 million pair of prescription glasses, reading glasses and sunglasses, annually, while also contributing to reduction in the risks for blindness through eye health education, treatment for eye infections, prevention of vitamin A nutritional deficiencies in children, and referral for ophthalmic care to eye care professionals when needed. This financially self-sustaining network will also provide over 20,000 new full time jobs and an estimated $21 million of earnings in developing nations.

Learning Objectives:

• To clarify the constraints and advantages, both clinical and economic, of a large scale worldwide eyeglass dispensing program needed for achieving goals of the W.H.O. Global Initiative, Vision 2020.

Keywords: Vision Care, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.