Over 90% of the world's blind people live in developing countries. This is mainly the result of extreme poverty, lack of drinkable water, poor hygiene and sanitation (trachoma and other infections), malnutrition (vitamin A deficiency), parasites (onchocerciasis), and poor access to quality ophthalmic services. Fortunately, blindness rates from these particular diseases are falling thanks to comprehensive eye care programs by a wide range of organizations, and medicines given free of charge by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

However, cataract is still responsible for half the world's blindness (47.8%). Additionally, diseases found in the US and other developed countries such as glaucoma, complications from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are also now emerging in the developing world.

Meeting these challenges requires far more trained ophthalmic personnel, better distribution of eye care providers outside urban areas, and sustainable hospitals that provide quality care and service at affordable prices for all, especially the poor. Member organizations of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness in collaboration with the World Health Organization are implementing "Vision 2020: the Right to Sight" to strengthen collaboration and mobilize resources to meet these challenges.

- Introduction by Victoria Sheffield, Executive Director, International Eye Foundation. The Foundation's Mission: The International Eye Foundation (IEF) is dedicated to preventing blindness worldwide by eliminating the causes of avoidable blindness: cataract, trachoma, "river blindness," and childhood blindness; reducing the cost of eye care; and creating a network of highly efficient, productive and self-sustaining eye hospitals that treat all persons including the poor.