World Sight Day is the most important date for advocacy in the eye health calendar. This is our day to get the conversation started about eye health and vision issues.

We know, according to the IAPB, that up to 80 % of blindness and MSVI (moderately to severe vison impairment) in the world is preventable and avoidable. 

In Australia we are very lucky. We have fantastic access to eye healthcare. According to the IAPB we have over 800 Ophthalmologists and around 5,000 Optometrists. We perform around 165,000 cataract surgeries a year and are one of the few countries to have a National Eye Health committee and plan. It is our access, along with bulk billing eye tests, that truly helps us stand out. An eye test is the first step in any eye health care issue. Where we need to improve is on awareness and teaching people to get their eyes checked and taking eye healthcare more seriously.

What do we do with all this information?

Practice What You Preach

Be sure you are getting your own eyes tested and your family’s. Make vision first a priority in your life.

Begin a Conversation

Share a story or a photo and start a conversation about eye health. Eye health is often put last on a person’s to do list and we can be the friendly reminder to bump it up the list. Sharing your own experience can be a great way to get people thinking but may also be the trigger to someone realising a vision problem in their own family.

Check in on Family and Friends

Vision impairments increase in the elderly or those with diabetes. Check in on friends or family members that might be having vision problems that perhaps don’t know how to recognise them or what steps to take in getting help.

World Sight Day is a fantastic day to remind people that we want everyone in Australia and the world to put their vision first! With so much global blindness and MSVI preventable, by putting our vision first we can work towards a future with lower preventable blindness rates and happier eyes! Spread the love of eye health and together we can help put vision first!

Infographic showing statistics about eye conditions around the world and Australia.