Inclusive Eye Health
CBM’s inclusive eye health work aims to reduce avoidable visual impairment and blindness and ensure those who are permanently vision impaired can access the most relevant support and opportunities to live life to their full potential.
Historically, vision impairment was understood to be a treatable medical problem or health condition. This meant the majority of eye health programs had a focus on prevention and cure for various conditions, especially blinding diseases. We now know that vision impairment has more than a physical impact and can lead to social exclusion and inequality.
CBM’s inclusive eye health programs, therefore, considers the needs of people holistically, with both their need for quality eye health services and social support.
At CBM, we want everyone to benefit from inclusive eye health programs. To achieve sustainable outcomes, we ensure that our projects are:
- INTEGRATED to national health systems and policies rather than being standalone initiatives
- COMPREHENSIVE from covering promotion of healthy eyes to prevention of eye diseases
- CURATIVE in medical, surgical and optical intervention
- Enable access to REHABILITATION services utilising local government and community approaches
- Have STRENGTHENED SUPPORT for people with permanent vision impairment so that no-one is left behind
There are other key areas that CBM projects consider particularly important to ensure inclusion, such as:
- UNDERSTANDING the impact of stigma
- ADDRESSING design and accessibility barriers
- CONSULTING people with disabilities and their organisations directly
- LOBBYING for government and policy support
- CONNECTING through community based programs
- ENSURING barriers for women and girls are addressed
