Eye on Vision 2020: Make It Happen

“Sunday 21st June 2015 marks 2020 days until the deadline for achieving Vision 2020’s aims.

Vision 2020 wants to make sure that no one is needlessly blind. CBM is a founding member of Vision 2020, a joint programme of the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020. Many charities, professional associations and eye care institutions around the world are involved in making Vision 2020 a reality.

Living with blindness is always a challenge no matter who you are, but in some low income countries blindness prevents people from accessing medical care and the basic essentials of life needed to survive. The saddest thing is that 80% of the world’s blindness is preventable.

Every blink of the eye can be incredibly painful as eyelashes scratch the surface of the eye. Photo: CBM

To contribute towards the achievement of Vision 2020’s targets, CBM UK will prioritise these causes of blindness these areas:

• Cataracts
• Trachoma
• River Blindness
• Glaucoma

We will do this by, taining eye care professionals, providing comprehensive and accessible eye care – surgeries, drugs, rehabilitation, eliminating the barriers to inclusive access to medical services and education; reaching out to all and researching and raising awareness about good practice with other organisations.

How can I help eradicate preventable blindness by 2020?

Why not raise money to tackle avoidable blindness by doing something you love? Spring is a great time to hold an afternoon tea or barbecue for friends or neighbours. Or why not get outside for a sponsored walk. You could team up with friends and hold a fundraising music event, a blindfold dinner party or anything you fancy.

And once your event or activity is planned, remember to take your camera along. We love receiving your photos and stories about how you’re transforming lives through sponsored walks, cake sales and crafty days. So please do send in your photos and stories, by post, online or through social media.”