Research

This study aimed to develop a consensus among eye-health experts to create a set of indicators for monitoring eye health within universal health coverage (UHC). A panel of 72 global eye health experts participated in a two-round online prioritization exercise. Initially, a list of 200 indicators aligned with the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Report on Vision framework was created. The top 95 indicators from the first round were further assessed based on criteria such as feasibility, actionability, reliability, and international comparability in the second round. This resulted in a list of 22 indicators, including seven core indicators considered crucial for monitoring eye health within UHC. These indicators cover various aspects of eye health, including service coverage for conditions like cataracts and refractive errors, the integration of eye care into national health planning, financial risk protection, human resources and infrastructure for eye care, and the impact of eye health systems on population health. The core indicators aim to provide a standardized set of metrics for countries to monitor their progress in eye health and support broader goals of UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals. The study recognizes the need for ongoing refinement, testing, and collaboration to implement these indicators effectively.