Dissemination and implementation science for global ophthalmology

Despite remarkable advances in ophthalmic diagnostics and therapeutics over the past decade, the global prevalence of avoidable visual impairment and blindness has remained unchanged. This paradox reflects a crisis of care delivery and the persistent failure to consistently, equitably, and effectively translate evidence-based interventions into routine practice for the millions who need them most. Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science offers ophthalmology rigorous, evidence-informed frameworks to close this last-mile translational gap. Drawing on the established body of D&I science theory, methods, and applications, this review argues that ophthalmology has been slow to harness these tools, and that doing so now is imperative. We examine the current evidence for D&I science applications across key domains of global eye care: equitable care delivery in the US, global eye health in low- and middle-SDI regions, gender equity, and the implementation of artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tools. Across each domain, we identify both promising examples of D&I science in action and critical gaps in evidence, equity, and sustainability. Achieving vision health equity worldwide will require ophthalmology to treat the dissemination, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based eye care as central to its mission as the development of the innovations themselves

Blindness · Eye care · Global health · Health care · Psychological intervention · Translational research · Translational science · Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Retinal Diseases and Treatments · Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies

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