Volunteer-based vision nongovernmental organizations and VISION 2020

BackgroundThe World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness developed the global initiative, VISION 2020, with the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by 2020. An unknown number of volunteer-based organizations conduct short-term vision camps as a means of eliminating blindness in developing countries.MethodsVISION 2020 strategies are reviewed and volunteer organizations' understanding of VISION 2020 and methods of service delivery are considered through survey results.ResultsFrom the surveys it is apparent that volunteer organizations are not aware of the VISION 2020 initiative and do not conduct their projects and programs in a way that is supported by VISION 2020.ConclusionVolunteer organizations have the skills, resources, and enthusiasm to make an impact on the burden of visual impairment. They do not, however, follow strategies accepted as most appropriate by the larger global eye health care community. Volunteer organizations are encouraged to reprioritize the work they do and change the methods they use.