Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness Research

The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) is a rapid survey methodology that has been used to complete over 380 surveys of vision impairment and blindness in more than 80 countries since 2000.

RAAB assesses the prevalence and causes of vision impairment and blindness among people aged 50 years and older, as well as reporting priority eye care service indicators. It provides locally-relevant data and is used by both governments and non-governmental eye health service providers at national and sub-national levels.

RAAB7 is the new generation of the RAAB survey, developed by ICEH. Delivered digitally, it enables faster, more accurate collection and analysis of secure, high-quality eye health data relevant to current eye health priorities.

Powered by Peek technology, RAAB7 was designed and tested over three years with leading sector organisations. It includes new and updated features based on the current eye health landscape to meet stakeholders’ evolving needs, and to enable them to capture the highest-quality eye health planning data.

RAAB is the source of the majority of data used to estimate the global and regional prevalence and causes of vision impairment.

RAAB7 collects data relating to the two eye health indicators endorsed by the World Health Assembly to monitor progress towards improved eye health: (effective Refractive Error Coverage and effective Cataract Surgical Coverage). It also includes an optional disability module using the Washington Group Short Set Enhanced question set, a questionnaire endorsed by various United Nations agencies for the disaggregation of Sustainable Development Goal indicators.

The insights RAAB7 provides drive improvements in eye health service planning with the aim of preventing avoidable vision loss in millions of people around the world.

Find out more about RAAB on our RAAB pages and at the dedicated RAAB website raab.world

Read more about how RAAB and ICEH contribute to eCSC estimates here.

Publications

(The first RAAB7 study): Mikki N, McCormick I, Mactaggart I (2024) Prevalence of vision impairment, diabetic retinopathy and disability in adults 50+ in the occupied Palestinian territories. PLOS Glob Public Health 4(9): e0003613. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003613

McCormick I, Butcher R, Ramke J et al. The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey: Review of the methodology and protocol for the seventh version (RAAB7). Wellcome Open Res 2024, 9:133 https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20907.1

McCormick I, Butcher R, Evans JR et al. Effective cataract surgical coverage in adults aged 50 years and older: estimates from population-based surveys in 55 countries. The Lancet Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00419-3