China Launches WHO Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision, Aims to Improve Global Eye Health
China has officially launched its first World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision. The centre, located at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University in Zhujiang New Town Campus, will serve as an international platform for high-level ophthalmology academic cooperation to assist the WHO in conducting research and technology promotion for global eye health management.
The Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, congratulated the ZOC on the launch of the Collaborating Centre and expressed his confidence in the center’s commitment to excellent ophthalmic care, research, and education at national, regional, and global levels.
The WHO Representative to China, Martin Taylor, praised China for its efforts in addressing vision problems, including implementing school reforms to control the myopia epidemic. Taylor also emphasized the significance of designating ZOC as a WHO Collaborating Centre and expressed his anticipation for the center to play a leading role in the Western Pacific region.
During the launch, Stuart Keel, Technical Officer of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases of WHO, introduced global eye health targets for 2030. These targets aim to achieve a 40 percentage point increase in the effective coverage of refractive error and a 30 percentage point increase in the effective coverage of cataract surgery by 2030.
The Consultant of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases of WHO, Andreas Mueller, presented the WHO MyopiaEd Programme, highlighting the alarming prediction that approximately 3.4 billion people worldwide will have myopia by 2030. The program seeks to explore behavioral changes to delay the onset and slow down the progression of myopia, as well as educate and raise awareness for myopia prevention.
Mueller expressed the reason for choosing Guangzhou, where the ZOC is located, as a collaboration partner due to the center’s consistent delivery of high-quality work that aligns with the WHO’s objectives.
Lin Haotian, Director of ZOC, called for attention to the evolving landscape of eye diseases, including changes in the disease spectrum and life. Haotian emphasized the need to adapt prevention and control strategies for eye diseases promptly, especially considering the rise in chronic diseases and cases of diabetic retinopathy.
Liang Xiaoling, Former Deputy Director of ZOC and Head of the Guidance Team of Guangdong Blindness Prevention and Treatment, highlighted the progress made in cataract surgeries in China over the past two decades. The number of cataract surgeries has increased from over 600 per million population 20 years ago to over 3,300, illustrating significant advancements in eye healthcare in the country.
The establishment of China’s first WHO Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision represents a significant milestone in global efforts to improve eye health. With the collaboration between the ZOC and the WHO, there is renewed hope for tackling eye diseases and ensuring vision for everyone.
