World Sight Day is a significant global event observed for advocacy of blindness prevention and to raise public awareness about vision impairment. It is observed on the second Thursday of October annually. This year World Sight Day is dated October 10 and is themed “Children, Love Your Eyes”, which aims to draw attention to the importance of good vision in children.
World Sight Day History
World Sight Day was established in 1998 by the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Its first celebratory event was held in the year 2000 and today, it is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The objective of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and advocate for the needs of people who are blind or have impaired vision across the world. After its launch, World Sight Day was adopted within the framework of VISION 2020, a global initiative that aimed to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 through awareness raising, advocacy, education, and policy development/support.
World Sight Day Significance
Blindness and visual impairments impact the lives of more than 220 million people globally, emphasising the importance of eye health. The day draws the attention of governments and organizations to the necessity of improved access to effective eye care, especially in underserved areas.
It highlights the fact that 90% of blindness cases can be prevented if they are detected early, by addressing diseases such as cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. World Sight Day also emphasizes the fact that good vision has a direct impact on learning, working, and quality of life. The day holds events such as free eye check-up camps and awareness workshops to promote eye health. The event is supported by over 150 organizations working together to eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide.
How To Celebrate World Sight Day 2024
- People can encourage local clinics or organizations to offer free eye tests.
- One can host sessions about eye care practices and the need for regular check-ups.
- Be educated about causes like these and share the learning with your family and friends.
- Get involved in World Sight Day events or support organizations that are working to prevent blindness and promote eye care.
- Use hashtags like #LoveYourEyes to spread awareness. Moreover, educational programming can help engage kids while teaching them about good eye care.
Importance of Eye Care at Workplace
In the United States alone, approximately 2,000 workers reportedly sustain job-related eye injuries daily that require medical treatment. Flying objects (bits of metal, glass, or other material) cause most of these injuries. Other common causes are said to include chemical burns and harmful radiation (especially visible light, ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared radiation, and lasers). Eye protection provided for employees should be periodically re-evaluated based on the circumstances of their use.
Many employees spend a good portion of their day staring at screens and may develop something called Computer Vision Syndrome, which can cause dry, red eyes, headaches, and blurred or double vision. One method you can use to reduce eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule (taking a break from screens every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
Regular eye tests are important to identify any early indications of potential problems that could lead to more serious conditions if not addressed. Employers should promote regular testing to protect their employees’ eye health.
World Sight Day 2024 Quotes
- “Blindness is an unfortunate handicap but true vision does not require the eyes.” – Helen Keller
- “The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter – often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter – in the eye.” – Charlotte Brontë
- “To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.” – John Milton
- “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, but must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
- “The face is a picture of the mind with the eyes as its interpreter.”– Marcus Tullius Cicero.
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