Prevention of childhood blindness

Abstract

There are an estimated 1.5 million blind children in the world

Every year, approximatly half a million children become blind (about one every minute)

Of the children going blind, about 60 percent die within one year

In about 70 percent of new cases, blindness is due to vitamin A deficiency. Other important causes of loss of vision are conjunctivities of the newborn, measles, accidents, certain hereditary and congenital conditions, and in some settings, harmful traditional practices

Most of these conditions can be prevented or effectively treated by the application of relatively simple eye care and public health measures, such as immunization, antenatal care, health education, and provisions of adequate nutrition. This publication reviews the strategies available for prevention of childhood blindness, identifies priorities for action, and calls on governments and nongovernmental and international organizations to work together in tackling the problem