Inclusive eye health

CBM’s inclusive eye care and health programs consider the holistic needs of people with disabilities, including both their need for quality eye health services and social support.

Our work aims to reduce avoidable visual impairment and blindness and ensure people who are permanently vision impaired can access the most relevant support and opportunities to live life to their full potential.

Historically, vision impairment was understood to be a treatable medical problem or health condition. This meant that the majority of vision and eye health programs focused on prevention and cure for various conditions, especially blinding diseases.

We now know that blindness or vision impairment have more than just a physical impact; they can lead to social exclusion and inequality.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness across the world, especially in developing nations. Many cases of cataracts are preventable or treatable with access to the right care.

However, people living in poverty who cannot afford eye care or surgery to treat cataracts are at a higher risk of suffering from poor vision or permanent vision loss.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), such as River Blindness, are infections that spread through human contact, insects, contaminated water and soil. They cause some 500,000 deaths every year, and delay the growth and mental development of children. They also cause chronic pain, disfigurement and disability. 

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. It is also very easy to treat with antibiotics. Without help, it can lead to permanent blindness.

Other common eye conditions or causes of blindness include acute conditions from eye injury or illness, chronic (long-term and often age-related) eye conditions, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, congenital eye conditions and genetic/hereditary eye conditions.