VISION 2020

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.

The many successes of VISION 2020 have been achieved through a unique, cross-sector collaboration, which enables public, private and non-profit interests to work together, helping people to see, all over the world. VISION 2020's principles, targets and milestones come from the 'VISION 2020 Action Plan' (See the original Action Plan and its update in 2006), they have since been updated and replaced by the WHO Global Action Plan 2014-19: Towards Universal Eye Health.

VISION

A world in which no one is needlessly blind and where those with unavoidable vision loss can achieve their full potential.

The goal of eliminating avoidable blindness would 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 implement the WHO Global Action Plan 2014-19; and
• Facilitate the planning, development and implementation of national VISION 2020/Eye Health 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, visual outcomes and access - the components of Universal Eye Health - are addressed as part of national programmes.