Israel world leader in blindness prevention
Study shows rates of preventable blindness in Israel may have been slashed in half over past decade
Led by Prof. Michael Belkin alongside a group of doctors and scientists from the Eye Research University at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center, the study notes that rates throughout Israel have dropped from 33.8 cases per 100,000 (in 1999) to 14.8 per 100,000 (in 2010).
These developments are decipherable across all main factors of preventing blindness: Glaucoma, diabetes, cataract and age-related deterioration.
According to Belkin, these rates – and Israel's advancements in this field – are unparalleled elsewhere throughout the world.
The World Health Organization notes that, despite the fact that 80% of all blindness is preventable or treatable, visual impairment is still a leading health concern all over the world, even in Western countries.
Israel has been able to advance in preventing blindness because of its cutting-edge treatments, universal accessibility, patient compliance, and the accurate use of prescription medications, says Belkin.
Several community-based programs that promote early prevention of visual impairment, and proper treatment of any diabetes-related issues, are offered throughout Israel, which Belkin asserts have helped the nation in its battle against blindness.
Since the programs are financially sound and efficient, Israel's public and private health forums are able to spend less money on preventable blindness.
The study comes less than a month after an Israeli research group created the first eye-free smartphone to benefit the visually impaired.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
