Armenia

Blindness in Armenia

Armenia is a truly ancient civilization. Archeological evidence suggests that people have lived in the region for 325,000 years. Its modern capital of Yerevan was founded thirty years before the original founding of Rome. Its ancient ruins, Medieval churches, and dazzling artwork are legendary.

Since achieving independence from the USSR in 1991, Armenia has struggled to provide healthcare to all of its people. Many local communities lack access to treatment and medicine. This is especially true in rural areas, where healthcare professionals are scarce.

Children are particularly vulnerable to deprivation in Armenia. According to UNICEF, every third child in Armenia is currently living in poverty.

According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in Armenia, affecting roughly 30% of adults over 65, with the prevalence expected to double by 2050. Over 70% of blindness in Armenia is considered preventable or treatable, with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy also being major causes. Limited access to surgery and screenings, particularly outside the capital, contributes to high, though decreasing, rates of visual impairment.