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Nearly two thirds of the blind people in the world are women! In part, this disparity exists because women live longer than men-typically, by 7 years, according to 2006 data from the World Health Association. In the developed world, this translates into more women than men living with end-stage macular degeneration. In developing countries, however, more older women are blind because of cataracts compared with older men, not only because they live longer, but also because women are less likely to undergo cataract surgery than men.
Many surgeons in the developing world are unaware that women account for two thirds of the patients blinded by cataracts,1 and very few hospitals in those countries track or report the sex of the patients who seek cataract surgery. In fact, most hospitals lack a program that can educate its ophthalmic staff, managers, and the community at large about gender inequality in eye care. As a consequence, women often fail to get the treatment they need. New research and treatment initiatives, however, are beginning to address the factors that contribute to unnecessary blindness among women.
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In the last decade, there has been increasing evidence that women are affected by blindness and visual impairment to a much greater degree than men. A systematic review of global population-based blindness surveys carried out between 1980 and 2000 showed that blindness is about 40 per cent more common in women compared to men (in persons older than 50 years). Since then, there have also been a number of large national surveys (for example, in Pakistan and Nigeria), as well as many rapid assessment of avoidable blindness studies (RAABs), which have confirmed the earlier findings. Here we have a collection of studies on gender and blindness which is bifurcated based on continents.
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GENDER AND BLINDNESS: INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS INEQUITY
Abstract:
A Report by Seva Canada and Seva foundation which talks about eye care programs by various organizations.
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GENDER AND USE OF CATARACT SURGICAL SERVICES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Abstract:
This article describes the existing literature, cataract surgical coverage rates by sex and the proportion of cataract blindness that could be eliminated if women and men had equal access to cataract surgical services. This article also deals with the methods for conducting the population based surveys used in the developing countries.
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THE GLOBAL SEX DISPARITY IN BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
AFRICA
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GENDER EQUITY AND TRICHIASIS SURGERY IN THE VIETNAM AND TANZANIA NATIONAL TRACHOMA CONTROL PROGRAMMES
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to calculate the gender distribution of trichiasis cases in trachoma communities in Vietnam and Tanzania, and the gender distribution of surgical cases, to determine if women are using surgical services proportional to their needs.
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TRACHOMA AND WOMEN: LATRINES IN ETHIOPIA AND SURGERY IN SOUTHERN SUDAN
Abstract:
This article highlights that women are more prone to Trachoma due to various reasons. Here we have examples which show how trachoma program can address the particular needs of women while designing interventions aimed at eliminating blinding trachoma in the community as a whole.
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BARRIERS TO THE UPTAKE OF CATARACT SURGERY FOR WOMEN IN URBAN CAPE TOWN
Abstract:
The study was conducted to identify the barrier which prevents women from accessing cataract surgery in Urban Cape Town, South Africa.
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INCREASING GENDER EQUITY IN EYE CARE IN AFRICA
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WORLD SIGHT DAY - AFRICA REGION
AMERICA
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DOES SEX AFFECT THE SUCCESS RATE OF CANADIAN OPHTHALMOLOGY RESIDENCY APPLICANTS?
Abstract:
Despite equalization of the ratio of men and women among matriculating medical students, it is possible that different rates of success for applicants at the level of resident selection in the annual residency match may occur on the basis of sex. As part of a larger project, we examined this issue across the medical specialties. In the current article, the effect of sex on resident selection within the specialty of ophthalmology is explored.
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BLIND ADULTS IN AMERICA: THEIR LIVES AND CHALLENGES
Abstract:
This is a report from the National Center for Policy Research for Women & Families.
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HER SIGHT IS WORTH IT
Abstract:
Seva Canada, a leading sight restoration and blindness prevention charity, is launching a Canada-wide video contest, www.HerSight.ca, promoting issues of Gender and Blindness in developing countries.
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WORLD SIGHT DAY - LATIN AMERICA REGION
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WORLD SIGHT DAY - NORTH AMERICA REGION
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
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REACHING WOMEN IN EGYPT: A SUCCESS STORY
Abstract:
This article talks about the problems faced by Egypt women's in accessing eye care and also highlights how to break this barrier.
EUROPE
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THE GENDER BLINDNESS OF GOOD THEORISTS: AN ISRAELI CASE STUDY
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REFLECTIONS ON GENDER, EQUALITY AND MIGRATION IN A NEW EUROPE
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to review the Gender, Migration and Equality stream of the Industrial Relations in Europe 2007 (UREC) Conference, which took place in Athens, Greece.
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EU HEALTH STRATEGY: BACK TO GENDER-BLINDNESS?
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
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WOMEN HEALTH WORKERS: IMPROVING EYE CARE IN PAKISTAN
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SEX INEQUALITIES IN CATARACT BLINDNESS BURDEN AND SURGICAL SERVICES IN SOUTH INDIA
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WORLD SIGHT DAY - SOUTH EAST ASIA REGION
WESTERN PACIFIC
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INSIGHTS FROM BLIND WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA
Abstract:
This article presents information from an oral history research project on the lives of six senior congenitally blind Australian women, each of whom has contributed in various important ways to contemporary Australian society.
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WORLD SIGHT DAY - WESTERN PACIFIC REGION
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What can we do?
- When consulting with a community about eye care programmes or services, include women and encourage the community to involve women in decision-making.
- When designing services and delivering them, incorporate assistance to women, for example by providing transport to clinics or using female health workers where cultural or religious taboos exist.
- When conducting research or monitoring programmes, disaggregate the data by sex.
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Blindness is an increasing global health problem that afflicts approximately 50 million people, two-thirds of whom are women, and ninety per cent of whom live in poorer countries. Much world blindness is due to cataract, routinely curable through surgery, or due to chronic trachoma infection, preventable through clean water and improved sanitation. The Vision 2020 initiative of the World Health Organization is addressing this problem through advocacy, planning and programming.
In poorer countries, women of all ages utilise eye care services much less than men. As a result, more women than men are blind or visually impaired from cataract, trachomatous trichiasis and angle closure glaucoma.
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Global Key Messages for WSD09
- Nearly two-thirds of blind people worldwide are women & girls
- In many places, men have twice the access to eye care as women
- Equal access to eye care could substantially reduce blindness in poor countries
- Simple and effective strategies can and do successfully address this inequity within VISION 2020: The Right to Sight
Don't forget:
- 80% of blindness is avoidable - either treatable, curable or preventable
- 90% of blind people live in low-income countries
- Cataract is the leading cause of blindness - yet it is curable by a simple, cost-effective operation
- 8 million people worldwide are blind due to uncorrected refractive errors. A simple sight test and glasses could restore sight to most of these people
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VISION 2020: The Right to Sight
Vision 2020 - the right to sight is providing Promotional materials on WSD 09 and here is the link World Sight Day 2009.
VISION 2020: The Right to Sight
VISION 2020 is the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness, a joint programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) with an international membership of NGOs, professional associations, eye care institutions and corporations.
MISSION
To eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020 by facilitating the planning,development and implementation of sustainable national eye care programmes based on the three core strategies of disease control, human resource development and infrastructure and technology, incorporating the principles of primary health care. This will be achieved by mobilising the will and passion for action through advocacy and by mobilising resources.
VISION
A world in which no one is needlessly blind and where those with unavoidable vision loss can achieve their full potential. The overall aim is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020 and to prevent the projected doubling of avoidable vision impairment between 1990 and 2020.
From the outset, it has been clear that the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020 will best be achieved by integrating an equitable, sustainable, comprehensive eye-care system into every national health system. The VISION 2020 initiative is intended to strengthen national health-care systems and facilitate national capacity-building.
OBJECTIVES
- Increase awareness, within key audiences, of the causes of avoidable blindness and the solutions to the problem;
- Advocate for and secure the necessary resources to increase prevention and treatment activities;
- Facilitate the planning, development and implementation of national VISION 2020 programmes in all countries.
National programmes have three main elements: cost-effective disease control, human resource development and infrastructure and technology.
VISION 2020 is built on a foundation of community participation. Overarching issues, such as equity, quality of services and visual outcomes, are addressed as part of national programmes.
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You can also refer your friends to register with the innovative resources. Send in your friend's e-mail id to us at eyesite@aravind.org with the subject line Register my friend's id!
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Address:
Vision 2020 e-resource team,
Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology,
1, Annanagar, Madurai - 625 020,
Tamil Nadu, India,
E-mail:eyesite@aravind.org
Phone: 91-452-2537580
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WHY IS GENDER AND BLINDNESS AN ISSUE? 
STUDIES ON GENDER AND BLINDNESS
STRATEGIES ON ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE 
CHALLENGES - GENDER INEQUALITY IN EYE CARE 
WHAT CAN YOU AS AN ORGANISATION DO?
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