[Synthesis of the blindness situation in the countries of the Organization for Cooperation and Coordination in the Control of Major Endemic Diseases].

The major causes of blindness in the OCCCMED states are cataracts, trachoma, glaucoma and oncocercosis. The prevalence of blindness is about 1.2% and there are about 880,000 blind individuals and 2,500,000 people with impaired vision. Cataracts were the cause of blindness in 440,000 people and the cause of visual impairment in 1,320,000 individuals. About 1,500,000 people were found to have oncocercosis, and about 24,000 were blind. The true rate of trachoma is unknown. Thirteen thousand cataracts are surgically removed in the region each year, the CSR (cataract surgery rate) being 210. In the last few years, national programs have been set up to combat blindness and equipment and training have been established. With a ratio of 1 ophthalmologist per 523,000 people, the WHO's objectives are becoming attainable.