[Global blindness].

Worldwide there are 37 million people who are completely blind and another 112 million whose sight is severely restricted. Of all blind people throughout the world, 85% live in developing countries. In three quarters of cases, blindness could be prevented or treated. The VISION 2020 campaign is dedicated to halving the number of people suffering from the diseases leading to blindness by means of disease control, training of specialist ophthalmic staff and development of appropriate infrastructures. More effort is needed if these goals are to be met. German ophthalmologists engaged in conservative and surgical treatments who join in and support VISION 2020 will be welcomed.