What is the Wales Vision Strategy?
[ Contents | Intro. | Outcome 1. | Outcome 2. | Outcome 3. | Appendix ]
The UK Vision Strategy is a VISION 2020 UK initiative led by RNIB to develop a unified plan for action on all issues relating to vision across the four countries of the UK. It was launched in April 2008 in response to the World Health Assembly VISION2020 resolution to reduce avoidable blindness by the year 2020 and improve support and services for blind and partially sighted people. People with sight loss, users of eye care services, eye health and social care professionals and statutory and voluntary organisations all played a role in developing the Strategy. This cross-sector input, which involved over 650 organisations and respondents, is the Strategy's major strength. A united approach across all the relevant sectors is key to achieving the aims that will benefit everyone across the UK.
The Wales Vision Strategy Implementation Plan 2010 to 2013 sets out the Welsh commitment to deliver against the three priorities within the UK Vision Strategy. The Wales plan has been produced by the Wales Advisory Group which includes representation drawn from many professional groups involved in delivery services for people with sight loss and those involved in prevention of sight loss. The Chair of the Wales Vision Strategy Advisory Group and the Welsh Assembly Government official also attend the UK Vision Strategy Advisory Group.
The Vision Strategy presents an opportunity for us to build on progress that has already been achieved in Wales. The objectives cannot be addressed by one sector or one organisation. A co-ordinated approach is needed to maximise the effectiveness of scarce resources and deliver sustainable change at a strategic and operational level.
The challenge cannot be understated as the number of people with sight loss is projected to increase significantly by 2020. The prevalence of sight loss in Wales is 9 percent above that of England. Eighteen of the twenty two local authorities in Wales have a higher prevalence than England due to a much greater proportion of people aged over 65 years.
- Half of all sight loss is avoidable;
- There are 115,000 people with sight loss in Wales;
- Sight loss costs an estimated £107 million every year in direct costs (Wales).
Access Economics [1] was commissioned by RNIB to estimate the economic impact of partial sight and blindness in the UK adult population. The results of the study indicate that partial sight and blindness places a large economic cost on the UK, totalling £22billion in 2008. Direct health care system costs amount to £2.14 billion and indirect costs to £4.34 billion. This study has also for the first time put a quality of life cost on sight loss, estimated at £15.5 billion for the UK with 29 percent due to refractive error. The study projects a sharp increase in sight loss due to the four main eye diseases by 2020, including a 31 percent in the number of people who are blind or partially sighted because of Age Related Macular Degeneration, 20 percent increase in the number of people with cataracts, 25 percent increase in the number of people suffering with sight loss because of glaucoma and 15 percent increase in the number of people who are blind or partially sighted because of diabetic retinopathy.
The Welsh Assembly Government Welsh Eye Care Initiative established Wales as a world leader in eye health services. Other achievements have made a huge difference to people in Wales, including the Welsh Assembly Government's decision to invest in sight saving treatments for Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration. There are many examples of partnership work across the sectors and foundations have been established for us to take this plan forward.
This Implementation Plan has three key outcomes which mirror those of the UK Vision Strategy:-
- Improving the eye health of the people of Wales.
- Eliminating avoidable sight loss and delivering excellent support to people with sight loss.
- Inclusion, participation and independence for people with sight loss.
All four governments of the UK have given the UK Vision Strategy their support and have country plans and steering groups in place.
The Wales Vision Strategy Advisory Group includes representation from professionals across the sectors, including neurologists/ neuroscience researchers, orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, Royal College of Nursing, RNIB Cymru, RNID, NALSVI, The Guide Dogs for the Blind (Guide Dogs), Wales Council for the Blind, social services and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Sight loss has a huge impact on a person's quality of life. People with sight loss are far more likely to have a fall, suffer from depression and become isolated. Over 66 per cent of people with sight problems of working age are unemployed, whilst 78 per cent of older blind and partially sighted people live in poverty, with a household income of less than £195 a week.