2017 Volume 63 Issue 3 Pages 201-203
80% of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured because uncorrected refractive error and cataract are two leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Half of visual impairments occur in those age 70 years and older. The social costs of visual impairment is substantial, because visual impairment places a heavy burden on individuals, families, and society, and a lot of resources are dedicated to care for individuals with visual impairment at home through informal care. With the accompanying trend of population ageing, the need to prioritise healthy ageing is increasingly recognized, and it is increasingly important to extend healthy life expectancy. Measures against visual impairment will help to extend healthy life expectancy.
