Glaucoma initiative meets unmet challenge

Allergan, Sightsavers and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has launched the Keep Sight 2020 video report. The report details the results from the first year of their joint initiative, funded by Allergan, which aims to prevent glaucoma-related vision loss in underserved communities across the globe. The IAPB Vision Atlas estimates that there are 76 million people with glaucoma, rising to 112 million by 2040. Joanna Conlon, Director of Development and Communications at IAPB, praised the programme for addressing an unmet challenge: “Without initiatives such as Keep Sight, the problem will only get bigger,” she said. "This initiative proves once again the power of partnership to have impact and make a difference in the places that need it most." The film highlights the progress from 2019-2020 in Keep Sight’s two pilot community-based outreach programmes screening over 20,000 people in India and Nigeria. Caroline Harper, CEO, Sightsavers, said glaucoma is a neglected issue in an already-neglected area of global health – eye health. "The disease causes many people to become blind before they even know they have it but programmes like Keep Sight are helping us to stop this happening, ” she said. “The Keep Sight initiative is vital to reaching people in low- and middle-income countries who may otherwise be missed and as a consequence become blind,” said Andrew Stewart, General Manager, GMCO Eyecare, Allergan.“We always have been, and always will be committed to meeting some of the greatest unmet needs in eye care as well as making a remarkable impact on people’s lives. It is with great pride that we support our NGO partners in the incredible work they do to advocate for people at risk of losing their sight.” * To watch the video click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFnZEcjc_Nc

Tags: glaucoma