Global leaders convene to accelerate action on eye health, with focus on tackling childhood myopia

• From evidence to implementation: global leaders advance eye health agenda for Asia and Pacific regions.
• Global policymakers from Asia and Pacific regions drive practical action on eye health ahead of Summit 2026

Bangkok, Thailand, 30 March 2026: Senior government representatives, including the Honourable Minister of Health of Bangladesh joined global leaders global health leaders and technical partners in Bangkok for a high-level eye health policy meeting hosted by IAPB and Santen, setting the stage for concrete, time-bound commitments ahead of the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health.

Discussions focused on early intervention in paediatric myopia one of the fastest-growing global eye health challenges. Participants emphasized the urgent need to translate evidence and economic arguments into practical, government-ready policy actions. The meeting highlighted the importance of aligning national and regional priorities, strengthening collaboration across governments, civil society and technical partners, and accelerating momentum toward 2026.

A key highlight was the spotlight on the newly launched Myopia Policy Brief and Guide to Advocacy, developed by IAPB to support countries in responding to the rapid rise of childhood myopia. The resources provide governments and stakeholders with clear, evidence-based recommendations and practical tools to advance prevention, early detection and management of myopia through integrated, system-wide approaches.

With myopia projected to affect up to half the global population by 2050, early intervention in childhood is critical to reducing the risk of lifelong vision impairment and associated complications.

Gregory Lee, VP, Head of Marketing highlighted that “Eye health is fundamental to human capital development and economic growth. As countries continue to strengthen health systems, we must ensure that child eye health, including early intervention for myopia, is integrated into national policy, education systems and primary care.”

By bringing together policymakers and partners in Bangkok, the meeting aims to strengthen trust, align priorities and accelerate progress toward integrated, people-centred eye health systems.

As momentum builds toward the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health, the clear tone is set: countries must make strong commitments, ensuring that the evidence translates into action.

About IAPB: The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector. For 50 years, IAPB has united governments, professional bodies, patient groups, NGOs, and academic institutions to form a powerful global movement for eye health. With nearly 300 member organisations across over 100 countries, IAPB drives universal access to eye health through advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and campaigns. Guided by its 2030 In Sight strategy, IAPB continues to build on this legacy to achieve a world where no one experiences avoidable sight loss. For more information, visit www.iapb.org.

About Global Summit for Eye Health

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) will host the first ever Global Summit for Eye Health to focus on the value of vision to countries, communities and individuals. The Summit will convene senior leaders from government, private and public sectors, NGO’s and funding institutions to help reach the 1 billion people living with avoidable sight-loss. Five years on from the UN Resolution on Vision, the event will be an opportunity to secure a new wave of ambitious commitments and transform a shared vision into action. For more information, visit https://globalsummitforeyehealth.org/