Preventing blindness and visual impairment in Europe: What do we have to do?

Severe visual impairment and blindness are significant public health problems worldwide. Four-fifths of cases of blindness can be prevented or cured. The World Health organisation's 'Universal Eye Health: A Global Action Plan 2014-2019' and the European Society of Ophthalmology's Pilot Committee on Public Eye Health are aiming to decrease the prevalence of blindness in Europe and around the world. Starting discussions addressing possible actions and advocacies to improve current circumstances in public eye health is a common task of ophthalmologists and public health specialists in Europe.