title: Rethinking eye health systems to achieve universal coverage: the role of research.
abstract: Achieving universal coverage in eye care remains a tremendous challenge as 226 million people in the world remain visually impaired, the majority from avoidable causes. The impact of eye care interventions has been constrained by the limited capacities of health systems in low-income and middle-income countries to deliver effective eye care services. Services for eye health are still not adequately integrated into the health systems of low-income and middle-income countries. We contend that radical rethinking and deeper development of eye health systems are necessary to achieve VISION 2020 goals. Responding to the challenges of chronic eye diseases will require systems thinking, analysis and action, based on evidence from health systems research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blanchet
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, London, UK University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Savigny
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Public health