Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, as recognised in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
However, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment, including 43 million who are blind. At least one billion of them have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has not yet been addressed, and 90% of them live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Published for the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health in November 2026, this Advocacy Issue Brief explains what causes these challenges and the serious impact that eye conditions have on human rights, sustainable development and economies.
It also sets out how Light for the World responds to these challenges and works towards systems change through its programmes, advocacy and collaboration with key partners. Finally, it makes recommendations to governments, international organisations and development actors on how to end avoidable sight loss.
