The Value of Vision
The case for investing in eye health in around the world
Global data
Explore the global state of eye health through key indicators and interactive visuals. Start with a high level overview, then you can scroll down for deeper insights.
How many people have sight loss?
#19: Sight loss by gender and region
These modelled data from Vision Loss Expert Group (VLEG) provide global and regional estimates of different levels of sight loss for males and females of all ages.
Filter by region and measure to examine geographical variations and hover over chart segments to view the measure for each level of sight loss. You can also filter by selecting legend items.
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How many people will have sight loss in 2050?
#22: Sight loss projection by 2050
It’s projected that the number of people in the world of all ages living with sight loss will increase to over 1.7 billion by 2050. More women than men will have sight loss.
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How much does sight loss cost?
#: Global annual productivity loss due to sight loss
Global annual productivity loss due to sight loss is estimated at $410.7 billion, comprising $43.6 billion from blindness and $367.1 billion from MSVI. This substantial economic impact underscores the importance of investing in eye care services and interventions that could significantly reduce this global financial burden.
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What progress is being made?
#9A: Eye health systems
Data from six key indicators demonstrate the progress towards the eye health systems goals of the 2030 In Sight strategy, as reported through a survey completed by a key respondent in each country. Explore each indicator using the menu and click each country for more details.
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Diving into the details
Unpack and explore expanded insights into the global state of eye health, with key indicators presented in more detail.
Sight loss and causes
Magnitude of sight loss
#59: Sight loss by country
This interactive map presents modelled data on sight loss prevalence by country (all ages). The chart reveals significant global disparities, with the highest age-standardised prevalence in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Explore different measures, filter by gender, and select specific sight loss severity levels using the dropdown menus.
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#56: Sight loss by region
This interactive world map displays sight loss across regions, revealing significant global inequities in eye health, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing the highest burden.
Customise your view using the dropdown filters.
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#20: Sight loss over time
These modelled data provide global and regional estimates of different levels of sight loss (all ages). Despite global age-standardised prevalence remaining stable, the crude prevalence and numbers are increasing. With an ageing and growing population, vision loss remains an urgent and increasingly important public health priority.
Customise your view using the filters or by selecting legend items.
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#21: Sight loss by age
These modelled vision loss data provide global estimates of different levels of vision loss by age, gender and over time. There is a strong association between age and vision loss after the age of 50.
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#19: Sight loss by gender
These modelled data provide estimates of different levels of sight loss for males and females (all ages). 1.1 billion people live with sight loss. 90% of sight loss is preventable or treatable.
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#57: Sight loss projections
These modelled sight loss data provide global and regional estimates and projections of different levels of sight loss for each decade (all ages). Hover over chart segments to view data for each level of sight loss.
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Causes of sight loss
#23: Global causes of sight loss
This chart shows the global distribution of blindness causes based on modelled data from VLEG (global, 2020, all ages). Notably, both cataract and uncorrected refractive errors are highly treatable conditions, highlighting significant opportunities for intervention. Explore the data using the dropdown menus.
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#24: Causes of sight loss over time
This line chart tracks the global estimates of sight loss due to different causes from 1990 to 2020 (all ages). The chart reveals concerning upward trends of numbers affected across all major causes. Notably, the leading causes are avoidable with cost-effective interventions like spectacles and cataract surgery.
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#25: Sight loss by GBD region and cause
This map displays the geographic distribution of sight loss by cause across different regions (all ages). Explore different causes, severity levels, and measures of sight loss using the dropdown menus.
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#26: Status of elimination of trachoma
Trachoma is an eye disease caused by bacterial infection and affects approximately 1.9 million people worldwide. The chart reveals that trachoma remains a significant public health concern primarily across Africa, Latin America, and Australia.
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#27: Status of elimination of onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis, or “river blindness”, is caused by a parasitic infection. Symptoms include visual impairment, including permanent blindness. More than 99% of infected people live in Africa. Four Latin American countries have eliminated onchocerciasis so far.
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Economics
#29: Eyecare intervention returns compared to other interventions
This chart compares the economic return on investment for different health interventions, measured in dollars returned for each dollar invested. Eye health interventions deliver exceptional value with a $28 return per dollar invested—significantly outperforming other important health interventions.
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#: The educational and economic cost of uncorrected vision in children
Uncorrected refractive error among school-aged children results in significant global losses annually: 6.3 million equivalent school years and $173 billion in economic productivity. Simple interventions like vision screening and affordable eyeglasses could prevent these substantial losses, making this one of the most cost-effective educational and economic investments worldwide.
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How to cite: Dhakhwa p, et al. Better education in sight. An estimate of global learning and economic productivity losses from uncorrected refractive error in schools. (2024)
Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas: visionatlas.iapb.org.
Effective coverage
#70: Effective refractive error coverage (eREC) in adults aged 50+
Effective refractive error coverage (eREC) is the proportion of people in need of refractive error services who have received services and have a good-quality outcome. This chart shows data for adults 50+ with an outcome of 6/12 or better). Hover for data for 2023 and 2030 by gender.
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How to cite: Bourne R, et al. Effective refractive error coverage in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of updated estimates from population-based surveys in 76 countries modelling the path towards the 2030 global target. Lancet Glob Health. 2025. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas: visionatlas.iapb.org.
Effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC)
Effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) is the percentage of people who have had successful cataract surgery out of all people who either need or have had cataract surgery.
There are dramatic global disparities, with coverage rates ranging from as low as 4% in some nations to as high as 70% in others. This highlights significant inequities in access to quality cataract surgery.
Global figures
#31: eCSC by country
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#72: eCSC over time
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How to cite: McCormick I, et al. Effective cataract surgical coverage in adults aged 50 years and older: empirical estimates from population-based surveys in 68 countries and modelled estimates for 2000–30. Lancet Glob Health. 2026. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas: visionatlas.iapb.org.
Eye health commitments
#12A: Eye health commitments
This chart maps the global landscape of eye health commitments from diverse stakeholders working toward the goals of the 2030 In Sight Strategy. These commitments represent pledged actions, resources, and policies aimed at expanding effective coverage of eye care services globally.
Total commitments: 95
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Eye health systems
#9A: Eye health systems
This chart shows country-level progress towards the eye health systems goals of the 2030 In Sight strategy, based on data from six key indicators.
The data were reported through surveys completed by designated respondents in each country. Respondents were key opinion leaders with comprehensive understanding of national eye care situation, such as national eye care coordinators, key personnel from Ministries of Health, and heads of national eye health committees.
Use the menu to explore each indicator and click on a country for more details.
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Workforce
#32: Ophthalmologists per million
This map shows the density of ophthalmologists per million population across countries, revealing stark global inequities in eye care workforce distribution. High-income regions generally have the highest concentrations of ophthalmologists but many countries have critically low numbers of ophthalmologists relative to population needs.
Hover for the reference for each country.
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#33: Optometrists per million
This world map illustrates the global distribution of optometrists per million population, revealing significant disparities in access to optometric care worldwide. Higher income countries generally display the highest concentrations of optometrists, while much of Africa and parts of Asia show very low densities.
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#34: Allied ophthalmic personnel per million
This world map shows the density of allied ophthalmic personnel per million population across countries. Allied personnel play crucial roles in expanding service capacity and are essential for implementing sustainable and comprehensive eye care systems capable of meeting population needs, especially in resource-constrained settings.
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Situation assessments
These maps show the global status of the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and Refractive Error Situation Analysis Tool (RESAT) implementation across countries.
#73: ECSAT implementation status
The ECSAT is a questionnaire-based assessment tool used to analyse the status of eye care services and systems, identify gaps and priorities, and support national eye care planning. The map highlights where ECSAT has been completed, is planned, or has not yet been undertaken.
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How to cite: Global Implementation Status of Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT). World Health Organisation & IAPB. 2026. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas: visionatlas.iapb.org.
#74: RESAT implementation status
The RESAT is a questionnaire-based assessment tool used to evaluate the status of refractive error services, identify service gaps and opportunities, and support progress towards universal refractive error service coverage. The map highlights where RESAT has been completed, is planned, or has not yet been undertaken.
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How to cite: Global Implementation Status of Refractive Error Situation Analysis Tool (RESAT). World Health Organisation. 2026. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas: visionatlas.iapb.org.
#28A: Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness surveys
RAAB is a well-established population-based eye health survey. It assesses the prevalence and causes of vision loss and blindness among people aged 50 years+. Data from RAAB surveys are vital to generate vision loss estimates calculated by the Vision Loss Expert Group and the effective coverage estimates from WHO on the Vision Atlas.
This map shows RAAB surveys since 2000.
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#35A: IAPB member map
This chart shows the distribution of IAPB members. Hover over the map to see which countries contain head offices of member organisations.
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Featured news
Glaucoma burden in Europe projected to exceed 13 million by 2050
Rising myopia burden in Japanese children calls for early public health action
Global myopia prevalence: trends, projections and the need for action
Explore topics
Effective cataract surgical coverage
Tracking 2030 In Sight Progress (2025 Report)
Effective coverage of refractive error care
View sight loss data by countries
The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health is available online.
We also provide detailed data and visualisations at both global and country levels, which can be explored on the IAPB Vision Atlas. Offering comprehensive insights to support evidence-based investment in eye health.
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