October 14th will be World Sight Day

October 14th will be World Sight Day

World Sight Day – time for change

This year, World Sight Day theme is #LoveYourEyes.

The theme is defined by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which leads on World Sight Day campaigns.

ECOO has drafted this article to mark the day and support you in raising awareness about eye health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also preparing for World Sight Day on 14 October. WHO says: “Unoperated cataracts and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes of vision impairment. Other causes such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, infectious diseases of the eye, and trauma, however, cannot be ignored and need to be addressed.”

Alan Tinger, FODO Director, said: “We are fortunate to have a world-class primary eye care service in the UK. That is why uncorrected refractive error and unoperated cataracts are not the leading causes of vision impairment here. On World Sight Day, we should celebrate primary eye care in the UK and all the benefits this delivers for patients, the NHS and wider society.

“However, there are real challenges on the horizon. Our hospital eye care service cannot meet growing needs. This lack of capacity means people with glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye conditions are at an increased risk of preventable sight loss. Primary care stands ready to help hospital sector partners. All that is needed is a commitment from the NHS to commission to new pathways of care to meet the needs of our ageing population.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also preparing for World Sight Day on 14 October.