#LoveYourEyes
World Sight Day commemorated
World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about blindness and vision impairment while advocating for the importance of universal eye health.This year the focus is on the importance of eye care in the workplace. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), this theme serves to encourage employers to make eye health initiatives standard practice while promoting eye health habits that will benefit the well-being, safety and productivity of millions of employees.
“Love Your Eyes at Work is about helping people understand the importance of protecting their vision in the workplace and calling on business leaders to prioritise the eye health of workers, everywhere. With the help of our global partners and members, we aim to show the world how important it is to #LoveYourEyes,” the IAPB says.
No matter where you are or what job you do, it is important to prioritise and protect your eye health at work. This includes everything from avoiding accidents in the workplace, which are too often caused by or lead to poor vision, to productivity, which is greatly improved when the eye health of workers is a made priority.
Furthermore, this day serves as a platform to encourage governments, organisations and individuals to take concrete steps towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic or social status, has access to quality eye care.
Primary objectives
One of the primary objectives of World Sight Day is to spotlight the global prevalence of visual impairment and blindness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a significant portion of these cases can be prevented or treated with access to proper eye care services. Initiatives on this day often include free eye screenings, awareness campaigns, and educational programs to disseminate information about eye health.
Organisations, eye care professionals, and volunteers worldwide collaborate to make eye care services accessible to vulnerable populations, including those in remote areas or underserved communities. These efforts may involve setting up mobile eye clinics, distributing eyeglasses, and providing training on eye health and hygiene.
The day also serves as a call to action for governments to integrate eye health into their public health agendas. Advocates use this occasion to push for policies that prioritize eye care, allocate resources for the training of eye care professionals, and ensure that affordable and quality eye care services are available to all.
World Sight Day goes beyond the medical aspects of eye health; it acknowledges the socio-economic impact of vision impairment. Visual impairment can lead to diminished quality of life, reduced educational and employment opportunities, and increased healthcare costs. By addressing these broader implications, the day fosters a holistic approach to eye health.
To initiate and support #LoveYourEyes at Work, the IAPB has created resources to ensure that employers and employees can look after their eye health in the workplace. Check these out here: https://www.iapb.org/world-sight-day/toolkits-and-resources/#Workplace .
Alternatively, individuals and or companies that would like to arrange a screening, can contact their closest optometrist.