Insights for a clearer future
A dynamic platform for global eye health data, trends and insights — informing critical decisions and action.
Featured news
The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health
New research by IAPB, Seva, and The Fred Hollows Foundation confirms that eye health is one of the best buys in global health, with every $1 invested yielding $28 in economic returns.
Age standardised prevalence of all sight loss:
Number affected by sight loss:
Click to view country data
Age-standardised prevalence of all sight loss, 2020
3-6%
6-9%
9-12%
12-15%
15-18%
18-21%
21-24%
24-27%
27-30%
How to cite: Bourne R, et al. Trends in prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment over 30 years: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet Glob Health. 2020. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas.
1.1 billion
people live with sight loss
$411 billion
is lost each year from the global economy due to sight loss
90%
of sight loss is preventable or treatable
The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health
Scaling proven solutions to sight loss in low- and middle-income countries will improve eye health, overall health, learning, jobs, and productivity – delivering one of the best returns in global health.
View global summary
News
View all
Egypt becomes the 27th country globally to eliminate trachoma
Egypt has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the 7th country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and the 27th globally to achieve this milestone.
Lao PDR Launches ECSAT Report to Guide National Eye Health Strategy 2026–2030
Lao PDR releases Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool report, driving evidence-based action toward universal eye care.
Vision Crisis in Vietnamese Classrooms: Study Reveals Nearly 40% of Students Affected by Refractive Errors
A comprehensive meta-analysis reveals that 37.6% of Vietnamese schoolchildren have refractive errors, with myopia affecting an estimated 6 million children and contributing to Asia’s growing vision health crisis.
Nepal RAAB reveals progress in combating avoidable vision impairment
Nepal has achieved remarkable success in eye health, reducing vision impairment rates by more than half over the past decade. While challenges persist, the progress shows effective interventions are working.
Topics
View all
Data Story
Effective coverage of refractive error care
A simple pair of spectacles can transform lives for hundreds of millions — yet glasses remain out of reach for far too many.
Data Story
Magnitude of sight loss
Discover how sight loss affects over a billion people worldwide—and why the number is still rising.
Data Story
Causes of sight loss
The leading causes of sight loss are simple to treat—discover the conditions driving the global burden of sight loss.
Explore the global data
View global eye health insights and trends on our global data dashboard.
Explore global data
Contribute to the Vision Atlas
Share your data to support eye health— email us to learn more.
Email us