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PAHO urges greater investment in eye health through primary health care
In commemoration of World Sight Day 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in calling for accelerated action to improve access to cataract surgery and strengthen eye health through primary health care.
This year’s global theme focuses on cataracts and coincides with new data, published by WHO, on effective cataract surgery coverage (eCSC), as well as technical tools designed to help Member States reach the 2030 global target for cataract care. Together, these efforts aim to eliminate avoidable blindness and ensure that no one is left behind.
In a press release, PAHO said cataracts, which cause clouded or blurred vision, remain one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Most cases are treatable through safe and cost-effective surgery, which can restore sight, independence, and productivity.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, nearly 78 million people live with vision loss. This includes 3.7 million blind people and an estimated 24.5 million people with moderate to severe impairment. Together, uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts account for more than half of vision loss among older adults.
“At the current pace, universal access to eyeglasses and cataract surgery will not be reached until the end of the century. And that is simply unacceptable,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, during the UN Friends of Vision side event at the UN General Assembly in September. “The Region of the Americas cannot stand by as millions fall behind due to unmet vision and eye care needs.”
The new WHO estimates on effective cataract surgery coverage (eCSC) go beyond counting how many people receive treatment—they measure how many regain good vision after surgery. This shift underscores that true progress means ensuring everyone receives high-quality care that restores sight, not simply more procedures. The new Summary of Recommendations for Quality of Care in Cataract Surgery Management offers practical guidance to help countries strengthen service delivery and monitoring.
These resources support the implementation of SPECS 2030 – WHO’s global initiative to expand access to vision services through five pillars: Services, Personnel, Education, Cost, and Surveillance. In the Americas, PAHO is working with Member States to translate this framework into action, integrating eye health into primary health care, training providers, and improving data systems for equitable, evidence-based decision-making.
The upcoming regional launch of SPECS 2030 will provide a roadmap for countries to strengthen policies, build workforce capacity, promote public awareness, and enhance monitoring systems to close persistent inequities in vision care. Through initiatives such as SPECS 2030 and regional programs to eliminate trachoma, PAHO continues to support countries in tackling both infectious and non-communicable causes of vision loss, promoting equitable access to quality eye care across the Region.
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