Letter of the Day | Focus on addressing vision impairment
Published:Saturday | October 11, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Vision impairment remains a significant global public-health concern. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near- or distance-vision impairment. In at least one billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.
Good vision significantly enhances overall well-being, academic performance, employment opportunities, and economic productivity. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts. The World Health Organization states that the prevalence of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions is estimated to be four times higher than in high-income regions.
Population growth and ageing are expected to increase the risk that more people acquire vision impairment. World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy vision. This year’s theme is Love Your Eyes. Further action is needed to ensure equitable and sustainable eye care across countries. It is critical that policymakers redouble all efforts to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and empower individuals with sensory impairments. In the Jamaican culture, often the term ‘four eyes’ is used in a derogatory tone to describe those persons who wear eyeglasses.
Discrimination against the visually impaired remains a persistent issue worldwide. Despite significant strides in disability rights, many visually impaired individuals still face barriers in education, employment, and access to public services. Legal support plays a crucial role in dismantling these barriers and ensuring that the visually impaired can fully participate in society. Other barriers to eye health are the cost for glasses and eye health care in general. Given that the universal health insurance is not universal, many persons with vision impairment suffer in silence.
Undoubtedly, more public-education campaigns are needed to counter the stigma as well as inform the citizenry of the importance of eye health. Policymakers should also utilise global platforms, such as World Sight Day, to raise public awareness and promote early detection. A central message of this significant day is that a majority of vision problems can be prevented or treated and that simple interventions like glasses or cataract surgery can significantly improve lives. Additionally, more support is needed for non-governmental organisations that are tasked with eye health. Finally, policies for the visually impaired community must be purposeful and strategic to engender an inclusive and equitable society.
WAYNE CAMPBELL