A health promotion model for the prevention of age-related blindness with specific emphasis on low-income countries

Session Details

Session Title: Orbis Treatment and Prevention of Blindness in the Developing World

Session Date/Time: Monday 16/09/2019 | 12:15-12:51

Paper Time: 12:45

Venue: West 7

First Author: : A.Hipsley USA

Co Author(s): :    B. Hall   S. Shah                          

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To propose an interdisciplinary call to action to revise the classification of presbyopia from a normal irreversible process of aging model to a health promotion model by identifying presbyopia as a risk factor or warning sign for age-related preventable blindness to identify at risk populations and promote awareness.

Setting:

This was a public health study in clinical research and epidemiology.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted to understand the incidence of presbyopia as well as the clinical and socioeconomic impact on worldwide blindness especially in developing low income countries. A Health promotion model is presented which encapsulates the symptoms of the progressive loss of near vision consistent with the onset of presbyopia as an identifiable risk fact for age-related blindness. Specific reference is made to a plan of action for early detection of preventable age-related eye disease and blindness by utilizing the onset of presbyopia as a warning sign and indicator for annual eye exams after the age of 40.

Results:

Raising public awareness of the importance of ocular health, as an integral component of general health, will enable people to make informed decisions and articulate their expectations to their physicians and communities. Toward this goal, education, awareness, and implementation strategies to change perceptions are needed at local, state, regional, national, and global levels including specific attention to the most at risk groups in rural or remote areas where the loss of near vision results in functional blindness since access to ophthalmic care is scant and where it has significant impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Conclusions:

Identifying the onset of loss of near vision at the onset of presbyopia as a key risk factor as a health care promotion strategy is critical to slow the exponential growth of preventable world blindness. Implementation of routine, preventative measures such as community education and annual ocular health screenings annually at the age of 40 and beyond is of significant value in order to retard the ever-growing population of global blindness. Interdisciplinary and epidemiological approach to comprehensive healthcare is a key to establish a workable global model of ocular fitness and prevention of age-related blindness especially in developing countries.

Financial Disclosure:

None