Uncorrected refractive error, which can be fully corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, is the leading cause of vision impairment in children and adults. Globally, it is estimated that only 36% of people with a distance-vision impairment due to refractive error have access to an appropriate pair of spectacles, while more than 800 million people have a near-vision impairment that could be addressed with a pair of reading spectacles.

From May 11th to 12th, the ICO participated in the World Health Organization (WHO) expert consultation to prepare a global initiative to address this critical gap in eye-care services, including the shortage of spectacles in countries around the world. This global initiative aligns with the 2021 World Health Assembly endorsement of a 40% increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. The ICO is in official relations with the WHO and wholly supports the WHO in its timely efforts to address uncorrected refractive errors.

The 2023 recipient of the Mark Tso Golden Apple Award for the Asia-Pacific Region is Prof. A.H.M. Enayet Hussain from Bangladesh. A specialist in pediatric ophthalmology at the Deen Mohd. Eye Hospital & Research Center in Dhaka, Prof. Hussain is the past Director General of Medical Education of the Directorate General of Health Services in Bangladesh. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow and has received the ‘Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness’ award from the APAO. He is also the newly appointed Honorable Vice Chancellor of Sylhet Medical University in Bangladesh.
 
The Mark Tso Golden Apple Award is presented every other year to an ophthalmologist doing outstanding work in regional training who is recognised for innovation and leadership in ophthalmic education. Professor Mark Tso was ICO Vice President from 1998 to 2006 and served as Director for Education until 2012. His dedication to ophthalmic education is honoured by the ICO through this award.