World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October, this year(2020) it falls on October 8. The day aims to create awareness globally about blindness and vision impairment.
Globally, IAPB has a leadership role in preparing the annual World Sight Day.
Theme of World Sight Day 2020– ‘Hope In Sight’.
Reason behind the theme- To find solutions to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to sight.
Note– World Sight Day 2019 was observed on October 10.
Background
i.Originally the day was initiated in 2000 by the SightFirst Campaign launched by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).
ii.It was then incorporated into VISION 2020, a global initiative to, “eliminate avoidable blindness as a public health problem by the year 2020”.
iii.Each year the day’s theme is generated by IAPB, along with this it also creates main materials annually for the day.
iv.The Right to Sight was launched in 1999 by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
WHO Statements
i.Globally 1 billion people have vision impairment that can be prevented or one that yet to be addressed.
ii.Reduced or absent vision can have major and long-term consequences in all aspects of life, including daily personal activities among others.
iii.Majority of People over the age of 50 have vision impairment. However, People of all ages are prone to vision loss.
iv.Causes of reduced eyesight- Diseases including diabetes and trachoma, trauma to the eyes, or conditions such as refractive error, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma.
Key Info
- Over 1 billion cannot see well, because they do not have access to glasses.
- More than 3 in 4 of the world’s visual impairments are avoidable.
About International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB):
Chief Executive Officer– Peter Holland
HeadQuarters– London, United kingdom
