According to the International Agency for Blindness Prevention latest compiled data, 253 million people are visually impaired, including 36 million blind people. The risk of blindness is 5 to 10 times higher in the developing world than in industrialized countries, and 90% of blind people live in a developing country.
Because of demographic growth and aging populations, the blindness/visual impairment statistics are at risk of tripling and doubling respectively by 2050. OPC is fighting so that this will not happen, because sustainable solutions exist to preserve a person’s right to sight.
Regardless of age, women are most at risk of blindness. When women are given quality eye care and access to sight saving surgeries, it impacts not only their lives but that of their families.
Young daughters won’t have to drop out of school to become caregivers. Women can continue their livelihoods, earning an income for their family.