How to improve Iranians’ vision health: on the national policy of preventing Iranians’ blindness

Abstract

AIM: To review vision health situation of Iranian community, analyze its determinants, and discuss the adopted improvement strategies by the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). METHODS: This was a rapid situation analysis with a qualitative approach in three parts of recognition, orientation and implementation. The data were gathered via review of upstream documents, national and international experiences, and experts and stakeholders’ opinions. RESULTS: Eradicating trachoma, increasing human resources, increasing educational and research centers and promotion of ophthalmic technologies were important achievements in the field of vision health in Iran. Through these achievements, it seemed that the pattern of causes of blindness and low vision was similar to that of the developed countries. However, the review of Iranians’ vision health indicators showed that a considerable percent of the blindness and low vision was avoidable through a national program demanding 3 types of interventions in social determinants of health (SDH), community education, and increasing the access to health care services by integrating the necessary services in primary health care system. CONCLUSION: Managing the issue requires attentions from a national committee for preventing blindness with participation of all stakeholders, implementing a national survey on vision health, preparation of the primary level health centers including employment and education of community health workers (Behvarzes), optometrists and general practitioners, fair distribution of specialized human resources and establishing at least one specialized center in each province for referring patients from the primary levels.

Keywords

• vision health
• policy document
• primary health care