World Sight Day encourages the importance of ‘Vision First’

Image Credit: Martinlutze-fotografie

World Sight Day fell on 10 October, to raise awareness on issues of eye health.

For this year, World Sight Day pushed the action for ‘Vision First’.

The day encourages people to be aware of the health of their eyes, highlighting how an eye test can prevent later issues from occurring.

WSD is a platform that organisations can use to encourage individuals to support universal access to eye care.

An optometrist at Alan Miller’s opticians in Salford said: 

“I have heard it mentioned through memberships that’s I have with optometry companies, telling you there will be more awareness for it at this time”.

World Sight Day is co-ordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

This #WorldSightDay, we advocate for change for children globally who suffer from poor #vision: https://t.co/qiWX8ptyz5. Put #VisionFirst, and put children first so they can reach their greatest potential. #WSD19 pic.twitter.com/gRLldyTyPt

— Vision Impact Institute (@VisionCost) October 7, 2019

Aiming to highlight that blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) can be prevented if found early enough.

Sally said: “World sight day itself is more aimed at raising awareness from a world health organisation point of view.

“Trying to make people aware countries are not as fortunate as we are here which can have a positive knock on effect to make people think about their own eye care”.

When was the last time you had your eyes tested?

Various eye care issues can form due to factors like age and health.

Glaucoma is where the optic nerve that connects eye to the brain is damaged.

It is a problem that can affect everyone but is most common in adults aged between 70 and 80.

Cataract begins when the lens inside your eye develops cloudy patches. Over time cataracts will affect day to day life as it can develop into blindness.

A refractive error occurs when the eyes are unable to focus on images from the outside world and it can cause blurred vision.

These eye care issues can affect all age groups, but can be detected by a simple eye test at your local opticians.

Eye issues are particularly important to check for in young children, the elderly and those with diabetes as they are seen to be more vulnerable.

Sally said: “I am a solid believer you should bring your children for eye tests for a young age because children don’t understand what normal should look like it is very rare that a child is going to tell their parent that something is blurred because they don’t understand what clear vision is.

“Children should have their first test at about aged 5.

“They don’t actually need to know their letters to come for an eye test as we have tools and equipment to enable us to check if the eyes are healthy and if there’s a prescription without the child saying anything to us”.

It is recommended by the NHS to have an eye test at least every two years.

Sally said:

“Very high prescriptions whereby you are more likely to have eye disease or big shifts to the clarity of your vision you could come yearly for an eye test, and people who suffer with diabetes will often come more frequently as well, the same people with glaucoma in the family.

These groups of people have their tests funded by the NHS, as if the NHS spends money on the eye test it might save money later down the line.

“A lot of people fall under the group of the eye tests being free so it’s not so much of a hurdle of funding the eye test.

“There really is no excuse to go and get the checked.”

Help yourself on this World Sight Day and book your eye test.