Global Access to Eyeglasses Remains Low, New Research Reveals Stagnant Progress Since 2010

Despite global advancements in healthcare, millions still lack access to essential eye care services, particularly glasses, according to recent research led by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). The findings, published in The Lancet Global Health, highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing uncorrected refractive error, a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide.

The study involved data from over 815,000 participants across 76 countries, revealing that the global refractive correction (eREC) rate is currently at 65.8%. This figure reflects only a modest increase of six percentage points since 2010, indicating that the World Health Organization (WHO)'s ambitious target of a 40 percentage point rise in eREC by 2030 is unlikely to be met without urgent global intervention.

Results were categorized into various regions including North Africa and the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, along with high-income regions such as North America and Western Europe.

The burden of uncorrected vision loss disproportionately affects low-income countries, women, and older adults. In high-income regions, eREC rates are at approximately 85% for men and 83% for women. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa's rates are alarmingly low, with just 30% for men and 27% for women. The WHO has set targets at the country level, expecting high-income nations like the UK to achieve 100% eREC by 2030.

While the data does indicate some positive trends--specifically a 50% increase in the number of individuals receiving the correct eyeglass prescriptions from 2000 to 2023--the authors caution that the demand for glasses is escalating. This rise can be largely attributed to lifestyle factors, including increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities during childhood.

The study also highlights examples of effective measures that various countries have taken, which could be adopted globally. For instance, France introduced full reimbursement for spectacles as part of its universal health insurance in 2021/22. Pakistan has rolled out national eye-care initiatives over the past two decades, successfully increasing spectacle use and minimizing vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive errors.

Professor Rupert Bourne, a leading ophthalmology expert at Anglia Ruskin University and the principal investigator for the Vision Loss Expert Group, emphasized the importance of correcting refractive error. He noted that such corrections represent the safest, most efficient, and economical intervention for improving daily vision quality for individuals facing vision impairment, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction and enhanced well-being, work productivity, education, and equity.

With substantial data from over 815,000 participants across 76 countries, the study underscores that significant action is necessary to align with WHO targets. The urgency for global initiatives to enhance eyeglass accessibility by 2030 is critical.