“We Can See!”Children’s Vision Around the World

Dr. Ian Berger

Production by Vasu Mistry

Corpus Christi, Texas

Interp ro fessio nal F o ster ing o f O phthalm ic C are fo r U nder served Secto r s

Vision 2020The current World Health

Organization Global Initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness

For children, the prevalence of blindness is 0.5 –1 per 1000

children, or one child aged 0 – 15 years goes blind every

minute

Vitamin A deficiency, xerophthalmia, is worldwide the most common cause of

childhood blindness

Xerophthalmia (Vitamin A Deficiency)

Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with elevated

infant and childhood mortality rates, especially associated with measles

60 – 80% of children who become blind from Vitamin A

deficiency die within a few years because of increased disease susceptibility and sometimes lack of care.

Newborn Conjunctivitis

Congenital Cataract

Child has tumors behind lens of both eye (white reflex).

Retinoblastoma

Effects of traditional eye medicines

Traditional healers use herbal medicines, juice of squeezed plant leaves, lime juice, kerosene,

toothpaste, breast milk and urine (either animal or human). The child in the upper right photo suffers from

chemosis, a reaction to the traditional medicine.

Though not blind, per se, some 180,000,000 children around the world are in need of vision correction, that is, need eyeglasses.

Though not blind, per se, some 180,000,000 children around the world are in need of vision correction, that is, need eyeglasses.

Children’s visual disabilities seriously hamper their ability to learn -- to read -- or to perform physically, e.g., to kick or catch a ball.

Children’s visual disabilities seriously hamper their ability to learn -- to read -- or to perform physically, e.g., to kick or catch a ball.

Approximately one out of every ten children need prescription eyewear, yet in developing countries, especially in rural areas, one rarely sees a child wearing glasses, even in a relatively large group. Both GEOGRAPHICAL and FINANCIAL ACCESS to primary vision and eye care for children are limited for hundreds of millions of children around the world.

Vision care personnel shortages leave many children behind, unable to attend school.

Vision care personnel shortages leave many children behind, unable to attend school.

Learning may be inhibited in both parents and children when neither have clear vision!

Learning may be inhibited in both parents and children when neither have clear vision!

The main objective for children’s vision care, however, is to enable children to see clearly, and that means dispensing eyeglasses to accurately correct errors of refraction (focusing light).

The main objective for children’s vision care, however, is to enable children to see clearly, and that means dispensing eyeglasses to accurately correct errors of refraction (focusing light).

Vision care begins with measuring visual acuity in each eye.

Near vision must also be assessed in order to determine whether children can see up close to read.

Refractive error correction can then be measured with a FOCOMETER

The FOCOMETER is simple to use, does not require electricity, and is locally affordable, yet provides a highly accurate prescription for myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (distortion in visual image due to a nonspherical cornea).

The FOCOMETER is simple to use, does not require electricity, and is locally affordable, yet provides a highly accurate prescription for myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (distortion in visual image due to a nonspherical cornea).

The FOCOMETER in used by children in 40 countries around the world.

The FOCOMETER in used by children in 40 countries around the world.

Eyeglasses can then be prescribed even in remote and medically underserved communities.

Eyeglasses can then be prescribed even in remote and medically underserved communities.

During a vision exam, problems other than refractive errors may also be detected in children …

During a vision exam, problems other than refractive errors may also be detected in children …

… such as “Acanthosis nigricans,” evidence of insulin resistance – a major risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes, a leading cause of blindness that can be prevented if affected children take precautions against obesity and glucose (sugar) consumption.

… such as “Acanthosis nigricans,” evidence of insulin resistance – a major risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes, a leading cause of blindness that can be prevented if affected children take precautions against obesity and glucose (sugar) consumption.

Children found with symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can also be treated (with a therapeutic dose of vitamin A and a good protein rich meal) during a community vision care program run by volunteers.

Children found with symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can also be treated (with a therapeutic dose of vitamin A and a good protein rich meal) during a community vision care program run by volunteers.

In partnership with the World Health Organization and the International Agency to Prevent Blindness and Visual Dysfunction, InFOCUS has addressed this issue by training non-eye care professionals, teachers, community health workers, volunteers and missionaries to deliver a high standard of vision care.

In partnership with the World Health Organization and the International Agency to Prevent Blindness and Visual Dysfunction, InFOCUS has addressed this issue by training non-eye care professionals, teachers, community health workers, volunteers and missionaries to deliver a high standard of vision care.

Teachers and others have learned to use the FOCOMETER, a device developed by InFOCUS to measure refractive error and the eyeglass prescription needed.

Teachers and others have learned to use the FOCOMETER, a device developed by InFOCUS to measure refractive error and the eyeglass prescription needed.

InFOCUS has recently trained primary school teachers in Zhenghe, China to assess children’s vision and refer to optometrists for eyeglass prescriptions.

InFOCUS has recently trained primary school teachers in Zhenghe, China to assess children’s vision and refer to optometrists for eyeglass prescriptions.

Starting with a bunch of kids, eager to see clearly and to learn …

Starting with a bunch of kids, eager to see clearly and to learn …

… sorting out those who need to be refracted …… sorting out those who need to be refracted …

… measuring refractive error with a FOCOMETER … … measuring refractive error with a FOCOMETER …

… and dispensing eyeglasses with the correct prescription to those who need them!

… and dispensing eyeglasses with the correct prescription to those who need them!

Happily, eyeglasses manufactured in developing countries like China and India are inexpensive and affordable. Only a vision exam needs to become available to all who need one. The FOCOMETER may make this possible.

I can see clearly now the food must fall …

Thank you for your rapt attention ! InFOCUS

I can see clearly now the food must fall …

Thank you for your rapt attention ! InFOCUS