Israel leads the world in blindness prevention

A new study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology shows that rates of preventable blindness in Israel have been cut by more than half over the last decade, from 33.8 cases of blindness per 100,000 residents in 1999 to 14.8 in 2010.

Israel’s success in preventing and treating all four main causes of avoidable blindness—age-related deterioration, glaucoma, diabetes and cataract—is unmatched anywhere else in the world, says the study’s lead author, Dr. Michael Belkin of the Goldschleger Eye Research Institute at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center.

Other countries could see similar results by emulating Israel’s approach, suggests Belkin, one of the foremost ophthalmology researchers in Israel.

The secret of Israel’s success? Developing innovative methods of prevention and treatment and making them available universally through the national medical system.

For full story see Israel21c.org