World Sight Day 2023: theme, meaning, history

World Sight Day: On Thursday, October 12, 2023, we will celebrate World Sight Day and draw attention to the value of vision care in the workplace. Together, we will persuade companies to adopt eye health projects as best practices and raise awareness of eye health behaviors that will improve the productivity, safety and overall well-being of millions of workers. Prioritizing your personal eye health is the first step, which is why we ask you to make #LoveYourEyes your motto. The next stage is to inspire companies around the world to offer their staff world-class eye care.

This day, celebrated on the second Thursday of October, serves as a reminder of the importance of good vision and the impact it has on people’s lives. It is a global initiative that brings together people, organizations and governments to advocate for accessible eye care services and highlight the need for preventive measures against blindness. Through events, campaigns and educational programs, World Sight Day strives to ensure that everyone has access to quality eye care and support those who are visually impaired.

World Sight Day is celebrated on October 12 with the aim of raising awareness about the value of proper eye care among people around the world. People are encouraged to celebrate World Sight Day by prioritizing their eye health and working to make eye care available, inclusive and affordable for all. The second Thursday of October each year has been designated as World Sight Day since it was first celebrated in 2000.

On this day, various organizations, governments and individuals come together to promote activities such as free eye exams, educational campaigns and fundraising events to support the prevention and treatment of vision loss. World Sight Day aims to highlight the impact that visual impairment can have on individuals and communities, while advocating for equal access to eye care services around the world. It is a day to celebrate the gift of sight and work towards a future in which everyone has the opportunity to enjoy good vision.

World Sight Day Overview

Importance of World Sight Day

According to figures from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, around 285 million people around the world are blind or have limited vision. Of them, 246 have moderate to severe visual impairment and 39 million are totally blind.

About 90% of these people live in low-income countries. However, considering that they are curable or preventive, 80% of visual deficiencies can be avoided. However, to ensure that everyone who needs eye care has access to it, much remains to be done. Making eye care available to everyone can greatly help by increasing awareness of eye-related issues such as blindness and visual impairment.

On October 12, 2023, World Sight Day will be celebrated with this goal in mind. According to the World Health Organization, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals depends on eye health.

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Why is World Sight Day celebrated?

Global partners and members are invited to #LoveYourEyes to help show the world how vital it is on World Sight Day. The IAPB has promised to carry out five million visual tests and organize a photography contest.

Amateur and professional photographers will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and tell the world what they see and what #LoveYourEyes means through the IAPB World Sight Day 2023 Photography Competition. IAPB members will organize an evaluation and emphasize the importance of providing high-quality eye care to people with influence to achieve the necessary change. People can use social media to express their involvement and encourage others to do the same.

History of observing World Sight Day

When Melvin Jones founded Lions Clubs International in 1917, that was the first step toward commemorating World Sight Day. The club spearheaded various initiatives around the world, including collections for cancer screening initiatives, community hearing, typhoon and cyclone victims, diagnosis and treatment of hearing impaired, etc. This organization started the “SightFirst” campaign in 1990 with the goal of eradicating trachoma and other causes of blindness. Thanks to this effort, more than 488 million visually impaired people received assistance.

World Sight Day was established in 2000 by Lions Clubs International and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, ten years after the campaign began. The first World Sight Day was commemorated on October 12, 2000 and is now celebrated on the second Thursday of each October.

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World Sight Day 2023 Theme

WSD was started to inform people about how crucial it is to follow safe procedures to avoid blindness and other vision-related problems. Each year, World Sight Day is frequently honored with a particular theme. “Love your eyes at work” will be the theme of World Sight Day in 2023.

Some tips for good vision

Here are some simple tips to maintain good vision in honor of World Sight Day:

Give your eyes a break from the screen by following the 20/20/20 rule.
If it’s sunny outside, spend some time outdoors and always wear sunglasses.
If you need glasses, wear prescription ones.
To avoid eye infections, check your cosmetics.
Regular exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking are recommended.

World Sight Day: Global eye care goals for 2030

Member States of the 74th World Health Assembly have chosen two global goals for eye care by 2030. They are listed below:

1. A 40% increase in effective refractive error coverage.

2-A 30% increase in the profitability of cataract surgery coverage.

The aforementioned goals will improve the quality of care while expanding access to eye care worldwide.

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Visual disability

All ages are affected by visual impairment, however, people over 50 years of age make up the majority of those who suffer from it. The WHO estimates that at least one billion people worldwide have preventable near and distance vision problems. Blindness and visual impairment influence all aspects of life, including routine tasks, use of public facilities, and more.

What are the causes of visual impairment?

Untreated refractive error and untreated cataracts are the leading causes of visual impairment. Other risk factors include age-related macular degeneration, eye infections, glaucoma, trauma, and diabetic retinopathy. However, it is advisable to seek medical attention and not ignore these factors.

World Sight Day 2022: Tips to improve vision

To maintain healthy vision, follow the tips mentioned below:

1- Eat well

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and vitamin E should be on your plate. Include a balanced serving of salmon, eggs, citrus fruits and green vegetables. Diabetes, a leading cause of blindness, is reduced with a nutritious diet.

2- Manage screen time

In a world where virtually everything is digital, managing screen time is crucial as it can cause dry, itchy or red eyes.

Here are some tips for managing screen time:

to. Every 20 minutes, move away from the screen.b. To prevent neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches when using a computer, use a supportive chair and keep the monitor at eye level.d. Be sure to blink frequently.d. When using a computer, tablet or phone, wear safety glasses.a. Refrain from using your phone or tablet when you are resting in bed.

3- Get screened regularly

Make frequent health checkups a routine. If a probable vision problem arises during the evaluation, consult an ophthalmologist.

4- Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve your eyesight or reduce your chances of losing it. This includes limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, getting enough eye rest, and doing eye exercises.

5- Wear sunglasses

Always remember to wear sunglasses when outdoors in sunlight. You should have 99-100% UVA and UVB protection from your glasses.

Conclusion

World Sight Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and promote access to quality eye care services for all. It is a day dedicated to highlighting the global problem of avoidable blindness and visual impairment. On this day, various organizations, governments and individuals come together to organize activities such as free eye exams, educational campaigns and fundraising events. The goal is not only to provide immediate assistance to those who need it, but also to advocate for long-term solutions that can help prevent and treat vision problems.

Frequently asked questions about World Sight Day

What is the theme of World Sight Day 2023?

Prevent Blindness joins the global World Sight Day 2023 initiative to “Love Your Eyes at Work”, asking employers, insurers and policymakers to consider how they can contribute to improving access to vision care and eye health.

What day is World Sight Day celebrated?

Every year, on the second Thursday of October, World Sight Day is celebrated. This year it falls on October 13, 2022.

What is the objective of World Sight Day?

World Sight Day is an annual occasion that aims to raise global awareness about the importance of eye care. Globally, approximately 1.1 billion people suffer from untreated or avoidable visual impairment. This represents one-eighth of the world’s population, which is almost equal to the combined populations of Europe and the United States.

Who created World Sight Day?

World Sight Day was initially created in 2000 as part of the SightFirst campaign launched by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).