The Jerusalem Seminar on the Prevention of Blindness was held Aug 25-27,1971, and was attended by eminent ophthalmologists from many nations. It followed immediately upon the Second Conference of the International Society for Geographical Ophthalmology. It was organized by Prof I. C. Michaelson and chaired by A. E. Maumenee. Subchairmen were in charge of the major subdivisions of the seminar. This is a report of the proceedings of the seminar.
The main categories were public health ophthalmology, clinical problems in developing countries, clinical problems in developed countries, basic laboratory studies, and summaries of the scientific sessions. Joint resolutions were passed, a central agency for onchocerciasis was activated, and a xerophthalmia club was formed.
If any central theme can be said to have evolved from the seminar, it would be that improvement in eye health can follow only after elevation of general standards of living and education on broad national lines.