In my previous message below I referred to those who work in eye health and/or surgery. I should add that the discussion is also of relevance to other health professionals, including primary health workers.
Studies from LMICs suggest that primary healthcare workers generally recognise cataract as an important cause of blindness, but their knowledge of cataract detection, risk factors, and referral pathways is often limited. Training interventions and integration of eye care into primary healthcare services have been identified as important strategies to improve early detection and referral of cataract patients.
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Dear HIFA colleagues,
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, responsible for approximately 40% of global blindness (17 million people) and 28% of moderate-to-severe vision impairment (83 million). It is estimated that only half of people who need cataract surgery can access it. Furthermore among those who can access surgery, only half can access quality care. Simulation-based training offers a cost-effective approach to train more health professionals to the highest standards, thereby helping to close the gap between those who need surgery and those who receive it.
In collaboration with HelpMeSee, HIFA is hosting an in-depth discussion on 'Cataract Blindness, Surgical Quality, and the Value of Simulation-Based Training'. The discussion will start officially on World Sight Day, 8 October, here on HIFA.
We shall explore the following questions (and more):
1. What is the burden of cataract worldwide and in different countries?
2. Who performs cataract surgery? (eg medical ophthalmologists, non-physician cataract surgeons)
3. What is the availability and quality of cataract surgery?
4. How does simulation-based training work? How can we maximise the benefits?
5. What international guidance is available from WHO and other international bodies? How is national policy developed and implemented?
6. What information resources are available for training?
7. Do patients and the general population have access to reliable information about cataract and cataract surgery?
Do you know anyone who works in eye health and/or surgery who may like to join us for this discussion? Please forward this message to them and to any relevant networks. They can find out more at: www.hifa.org/cataract
and they can join HIFA (free) here: www.hifa.org/joinhifa
Many thanks, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org