Impact of technology on mass blindness in Asia.

Mass blindness, a manifestation of poor organisation and poverty, will double by the year 2000. Blindness from cataract will increase with the increased life expectancy. The problem will be insoluble in many poorer developing countries where mass blindness is expected to become worse as we enter the 21st century. The main reason is poor organisation--the failure to translate knowledge and technology into effective action. However, mass blindness in the wealthier developing nations will gradually disappear. With affluence, there will be public demand for modern technology and implant surgery will develop initially in the cities and will slowly spread to the rural communities. Japan has a unique role in controlling mass blindness, especially in the poorer developing countries.