On October 9, T&T joins the world in observing World Sight Day, a global call to put people at the heart of eye health and to #LoveYourEyes by making care accessible, available, and affordable for everyone, at every age.
Here at home, the National Eye Survey of T&T (NESTT), conducted in 2013–2014, provided a clear warning. It found that glaucoma and untreated cataract are the two leading causes of blindness, followed closely by diabetic retinopathy. For moderate and severe vision impairment, uncorrected refractive error and cataract were the most common culprits.
Later analysis showed that among adults, glaucoma accounted for about one-third of blindness, cataract nearly 30 per cent, and diabetic retinopathy almost 20 per cent, all conditions that are treatable or preventable with timely intervention.
Cost of inaction
Blindness is not just a health issue; it carries heavy economic and social consequences. Families often sacrifice income when members must leave work to care for relatives with vision loss. National productivity declines when preventable blindness sidelines skilled workers. Social services bear higher costs in disability grants, healthcare, and long-term care.
Globally, unaddressed vision impairment costs hundreds of billions annually. For T&T, tackling avoidable blindness now is far cheaper than paying the price later.
Three preventable priorities
Glaucoma
Often symptomless until in advanced stages, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in T&T. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored. Adults over 40 and those with a family history need routine eye pressure checks and optic nerve assessments. Early detection through community screening and affordable treatment options can save sight.
Cataract
Cataract, responsible for nearly 30 per cent of blindness, is highly treatable through surgery. Yet, too many still wait years for a simple, day-procedure operation. Reducing wait times, expanding outreach clinics, and subsidising surgical supplies can quickly restore vision and independence.
Refractive error
Uncorrected refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, is a major but easily preventable cause of visual impairment. Access to refractive services and affordable spectacles for those with visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error must be guaranteed. Ensuring that every child, worker, and older adult can obtain an eye exam and affordable corrective lenses will immediately improve learning, productivity, and quality of life.
Diabetes (Diabetic Retinopathy)
Diabetic retinopathy threatens working-age adults and is among our top three causes of blindness. The solution is well known: annual dilated retinal exams for all persons with diabetes, timely access to laser or anti-VEGF treatment, and integrated management of blood sugar and blood pressure.
Early detection for children
Children are at a critical stage. If eye conditions such as congenital cataract, refractive error, or amblyopia are detected early, they can be corrected. Without diagnosis, children risk immediate setbacks, struggling in school, mislabelled as having learning difficulties, or excluded from play. For children who are permanently blind or low vision, early rehabilitation is essential.
Training in Braille literacy, orientation and mobility, and access to inclusive schooling ensures they grow into independent, productive adults rather than being defined by their disability. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early rehabilitation must be cornerstones of national eye health policy.
A Certificate of Visual Impairment for T&T
To standardise support and remove guesswork, the T&T Blind Welfare Association has developed a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) form, which must be completed by a medical doctor following a checkup.
We call on the Government and the Ministry of Health to formally adopt this form as the national standard for:
• Accessing government services
• Determining eligibility for the disability grant
• Deciding on driver’s permit issuance
With a CVI system in place, support will be fair, transparent, and based on medical evidence.
Counting everyone:
The Washington Group
To measure disability accurately, TTBWA urges the Central Statistical Office to adopt the Washington Group question sets, not only the short set but also the extended and child functioning modules, when conducting the next national census. This will provide a realistic picture of disability in T&T, guide smarter policy, and help us meet obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
A national commitment
we can fulfil
The path forward is clear: address glaucoma, cataract, refractive error, and diabetic eye disease; implement early detection programmes for children; adopt the CVI form; and measure disability properly through the Washington Group framework.
On World Sight Day 2025, the TTBWA calls on all partners, Government, regional health authorities, professional bodies and civil society, to unite around three immediate goals:
1. Routine glaucoma checks for everyone over 40.
2. Eliminating the cataract backlog through expanded surgical capacity.
3. Annual dilated eye exams for every person with diabetes.
These steps are cost-effective, achievable, and life changing. Together, we can protect independence, restore productivity, and give every child and adult in this nation the chance to truly #LoveYourEyes.
About TTBWA
The Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association (TTBWA) advocates for full inclusion and equal opportunity for blind and visually impaired people nationwide.
This column is supplied in conjunction with the T&T Blind Welfare Association
Headquarters: 118 Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Email: ttbwa1914@gmail.com
Phone: (868) 624-4675
WhatsApp: (868) 395-3086
