World Sight Day

World Sight Day 2012 is observed globally on the second Thursday in October each year. On this day global organizations get together to promote events that are committed to eradicate blindness.

World Sight Day 2012 (WSD-12) is observed globally each year on the second Thursday in the month of October. No global theme has been assigned for WSD-12 so as to allow all organizations that observe WSD to highlight their area of interest and to bring it to the focus of target audiences.

Globally, people are living longer than ever before. Along with longevity, chronic health conditions are also on the rise and blindness is one of them! It is a matter of great concern that 285 million people around the world are visually challenged. Almost 80 percent of the world's blind people are above the age of 50 years. Unfortunately, 90 percent of the blind live in poorer countries where older people, especially older women, are unable to get proper treatment for their eye. Ironically, 80 percent of the global visual impairment burden is a result of causes that can be prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment.

Quiz on Eye
The eyes are the most complex part of the body after the brain. To learn more about the eye, its functions and the diseases that affect the eye participate in this quiz.

The World Health Organization (WHO), a branch of the UN which directs and coordinates matters relating to health, along with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), work together actively to coordinate events related to the World Sight Day. Other organizations, NGOs, communities and associations like the Lions Clubs International, have also been actively promoting the day and its causes for several years. Their aims include -

• To create and raise global awareness on blindness and vision impairment as major public health issues.

• To influence governments to participate avidly in promoting WSD causes and to designate funds for blindness prevention programs.

Routine Eye Examination
A comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more, depending on the doctor and the number and complexity of tests required to fully evaluate vision and the health of the patient’s eyes.

• To educate target audiences about ways to prevent blindness, about VISION 2020, and to create support for the latter.

Several activities are carried out to observe WSD with a focus on preventable blindness. They include –

LASIK Surgery – Interesting Facts
LASIK is a combined microsurgical and excimer laser procedure for correcting refractive errors of the eyes. Refractive surgery procedures include corrections for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Here are some interesting facts on LASIK surgery.

- awareness-raising walks,

- photo contests with blindness as theme,

Cataract
An animation of how cataract of the lens can cause blurring of images on the retina.

- poster displays,

- distributing bookmarks and booklets, and

- planting trees

What is noteworthy is that blindness resulting from many age-related conditions such as cataract, glaucoma or refractive error can easily be treated or even cured. Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness world wide and its early diagnosis and timely intervention can definitely help to delay or reduce vision impairment.

The need of the hour is, thus, to spread awareness about vision and the need to safeguard it.

Spread Light…..Save the gift of Sight!

Source-Medindia

World Sight Day - 2012

World Sight Day 2012 is observed globally on the second Thursday in October each year. On this day global organizations get together to promote events that are committed to eradicate blindness.