Globally, 32.4 million people (95% CI 29.4 to 36.5 million people; 60% women) were blind in 2010, and 191 million people (95% CI 174 to 230 million people; 57% women) had moderate or severe visual impairment (MSVI). The most common cause of blindness is cataract, which contributes to about 48% of all blindness in the world. 'VISION 2020: The Right to Sight' is a global initiative that aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. The three pillars of VISION 2020 are: (1) disease control; (2) human resource development for eye care at all levels; and (3) provision of infrastructure and appropriate technology.
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