Global blindness report highlights the need for research into treatments: so what is the UK doing about it?

As global blindness is set to triple by 2050, the urgent need for research into new and effective treatments is alarmingly clear. The recent report by Lancet Global Health, predicts that cases of blindness will rise from 36 million to 115 million by 2050.

The report shows a strong correlation between ageing and visual impairment and as more people are living longer, it is forecasted that there will be an increase in the number of people affected by visual impairment.

This highlights an immediate need for more research into the development of treatments to combat this frightening figure. As the process can be arduous and lengthy, the time to start putting the framework in place is now to prevent these predicted figures from becoming a reality.

The figures show that we must increase our efforts to find treatments on a global, regional and country level. Here at Fight for Sight, we are continually fighting for a future everyone can see. We fund pioneering research which can make a real difference to those living which visual impairment and blindness.

For instance, a current project that we are funding aims to identify potential new drugs for glaucoma, a condition linked to high pressure in the eye which damages the optic nerve. Treatments are available but unfortunately they do not always stop further damage to the optic nerve.

Concerted efforts are being made, but so much more needs to be done within the ophthalmic community to stop global blindness tripling with the help and support of the public.