Comprehensive eye care

1 October 2018

Comprehensive eye care aims to ensure that people have access to eye care services that meet their needs at every stage of life. This includes not only prevention and treatment services, but also vision rehabilitation. Comprehensive eye care also aims to address the full spectrum of eye diseases.

This photo essay illustrates some important aspects of comprehensive eye care from around the world.

WHO/Sebastian Liste through NOOR
A health worker during a presentation on eye health at the Taytawasi Senior Centre in Lima, Peru

Eye care should be integrated into other health services

One way to make sure eye care services are easily accessible is to integrate them with other health services. The Taytawasi Senior Centre in Lima, Peru provides a wide range of health services for older people, such as general medicine, rehabilitation and awareness raising about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. They also have eye care professionals from the General Hospital Maria Auxiliadora who visit periodically to do eye examinations and help refer people to specialist services when they need them.

WHO/Sebastian Liste through NOOR
A health worker visually examines Narcisco's eyes at the Taytawasi Senior Centre in Lima, Peru

Eye care is especially important later in life

Many eye diseases are associated with the ageing process. Most people from around the age of 50 years will notice that it starts to become harder to see things clearly up close. This can make it difficult to do close up work, such as reading. In Peru, Narciso is having an eye examination to test how well he can read a text close-up.

WHO/Sebastian Liste through NOOR
Two health workers discuss patient records at their desk at the Ninh Binh City Eye Hospital in Vietnam

Patient records are a good source of information on the demand for eye care services

Patient records are a valuable source of information for planning eye care services. They can identify, not only how many people are receiving eye care, but also socio-economic and demographic information about the patients. When the data from patient records are analyzed, they can help to identify if there are groups of people who are lacking services, or even indicate other trends in the type of eye care services they receive. Staff at the Eye Hospital of Ninh Binh City, Vietnam, check patient records.

WHO/Arko Datto through NOOR
Technician Pradyut examines Muhli's eyes at the Bharati Saha Diabetic Retinopathy Camp in Kolkata, India. Mulhi has diabetes and is having a regular eye examination.

Eye care is important for everyone, even for those who do not have an eye disease

Eye care is important not only for people with eye diseases, but also people with other health conditions. For example, people with diabetes should have their eyes checked regularly to see if they are developing the signs of diabetic retinopathy. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in avoiding irreversible vision impairment. Mulhi has diabetes and is having a regular eye examination.

WHO/Sebastian Liste through NOOR
Ray raises his hand in class at Ober Boys Primary School, a Kenyan school that supports kids with vision impairment

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing vision impairment

Early diagnosis and treatment are important for children as they can mean the difference between a life lived with or without vision impairment. Ray puts his hand up to answer a question from the teacher. His glasses make it easier for him to see the board in the classroom, read his books and, therefore, get good grades.

WHO/Sebastian Liste through NOOR
Mrs Trieu Thi Mui and Mrs Dinh Thi Nyuyen, who have been friends for over 60 years, spend time together drinking tea after their annual eye examination at the Thong Nhat Commune Health Centre in Hoa Binh City, Vietnam

Vision is important at every stage of life

Later in life, vision helps to sustain independence, reduce social isolation and support overall health and well-being. Mrs Trieu Thi Mui and Mrs Dinh Thi Nyuyen, who have been friends for over 60 years, spend time together drinking tea after their annual eye examination.

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