World Sight Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of October at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This date is marked on the calendar to draw global attention to the problems of blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of people with visual impairments. Various organizations related to this issue are taking part in the World Day of Vision. The day is also the main event of the global initiative to prevent blindness «Vision 2020: the right to vision», created by WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Moreover, the events held as part of the Day are devoted to a specific topic every year.
Blindness – is the inability to see. Leading causes of chronic blindness include cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal opacity, trachoma, and eye disease in children (such as those caused by vitamin A deficiency). Blindness, which develops with age, and blindness caused by uncontrolled diabetes are becoming increasingly common in the world.
According to WHO, about 2.2 billion people worldwide are blind or living with visual impairments. Eye diseases affect more than 19 million children. Moreover, 82% of all people with visual impairments – are people aged 50 years and older. And since the number of older people has been increasing in many countries in recent years, more people will be at risk of age-related visual impairment. However, most cases of blindness could be avoided if treated promptly.
Regular visits to an ophthalmologist and following simple rules of life will help you maintain good vision for a long time (Photo: Tyler Olson, licensed by Shutterstock.com)
As part of World Vision Day, educational and preventive activities are carried out aimed at preventing eye diseases. In some countries at this time, residents have the opportunity to be examined by an ophthalmologist. After all, regular vision testing by a specialist helps identify possible problems at the earliest stages, and therefore – take timely preventive measures and avoid big problems.
In addition, we should not forget about measures to prevent eye diseases. Thus, doctors advise giving up smoking, since nicotine has a detrimental effect on vision; regularly consume products that strengthen the vessels of the retina: blueberries, black currants, carrots, cod liver, herbs; spend less time in front of the TV and playing electronic games; and when working at a computer, use a modern monitor and high-quality programs.
Remember that regular visits to an ophthalmologist and following simple rules of life will help you maintain good vision for a long time.
Postcard «World Vision Day»