Vision 2020 Australia, on behalf of its members has commissioned a report from the independent economic analysts, Access Economics Pty Limited to update Clear Insight (2004) – a report outlining the economic impact and cost of vision loss in Australia.
Clear Focus (2009) provides current data and updated projections to 2020 of the economic impact and cost to government, industry and the community of vision loss in Australia.
Many Australians are needlessly experiencing vision loss and blindness. By addressing uncorrected refractive error and cataract alone—three quarters of those with vision loss in Australia could have their sight restored.
Low vision and rehabilitation services are critical for people with vision loss and are central to improving quality of life and reducing barriers to full participation within the community.
In 2009, the Australian Government endorsed the World Health Assembly Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment. With only ten years to go, a clear focus by government and the sector is needed to meet the objectives of this plan and eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss in Australia by the year 2020.