Over 2 Billion People Struggle to See Clearly

More than 2.2 billion people around the world suffer from vision problems, and at least 1 billion of them have never had access to testing or glasses. Dr Melissa Diaz‑Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness, shared the figures at Belize’s launch of the global WHO Specs 2030 initiative.

The programme, in partnership with the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and OneSight, aims to make eye screenings and affordable corrective services more accessible.

Schools are a key focus, Dr Diaz-Musa explained. “We do have many students who might not have been picked up or have never visited an ophthalmologist or optometrist to see if they need glasses for reading or seeing the board.”

Beyond schools, the programme seeks to address vision problems more broadly, helping to correct refractive errors and ensure people can access the care they need easily.

The launch brought together health facility staff, primary care providers, Ministry of Education representatives, and other partners, all working to reduce preventable vision problems across the country.

“This launch is just the beginning,” Dr Diaz-Musa said, noting that the collaboration is meant to catch vision problems early “to reduce refractive errors”.