International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

International organization focused on preventing blindness

Logo of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is a global alliance of organizations dedicated to the prevention of blindness and the promotion of eye health. Founded in 1975, the IAPB works to coordinate efforts among its members, which include non-governmental organizations, professional associations, eye care institutions, and corporations, to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment worldwide.

History

The IAPB was established in 1975 in response to the growing recognition of the global burden of blindness and visual impairment. The founding members included the World Health Organization (WHO) and several leading eye care organizations. The agency was created to serve as a coordinating body to bring together various stakeholders in the field of eye health.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the IAPB is to achieve universal access to eye health and eliminate avoidable blindness by:

• Promoting the development and implementation of national eye health plans.
• Advocating for increased resources and attention to eye health at the global, regional, and national levels.
• Supporting the development of human resources for eye health.
• Encouraging research and innovation in the prevention of blindness.

Programs and Initiatives

The IAPB leads several key initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment:

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight

Launched in 1999, VISION 2020 is a global initiative co-founded by the IAPB and the WHO. Its goal is to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 through the implementation of effective and sustainable eye care programs.

World Sight Day

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. The IAPB coordinates activities and campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize resources for eye health.

Standard List

The IAPB Standard List is a resource that provides information on essential eye care equipment, instruments, and medicines. It is designed to help eye care providers, especially in low-resource settings, to procure the necessary tools for effective service delivery.

Membership

The IAPB's membership includes over 150 organizations from around the world, encompassing a wide range of stakeholders in the field of eye health. Members include international non-governmental organizations, professional bodies, academic institutions, and private sector companies.

Governance

The IAPB is governed by a board of trustees, which includes representatives from its member organizations. The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the agency and overseeing its activities.

Related pages

• World Health Organization
• Blindness
• Vision 2020: The Right to Sight
• World Sight Day