What is World Sight Day?

World Sight Day: 10 October

Eighty percent of all cases of blindness can be prevented or treated; the right to sight can and must be fulfilled

Geneva, 10 October 2002 –An estimated 180 million people world-wide are visually disabled. Of those, between 40 and 45 million persons are blind. Due to growing populations and ageing, these numbers are expected to double by the year 2020 making a colossal human tragedy even worse, stalling development and denying a basic human right.

World Sight Day is an annual event focusing on the problem of global blindness; it aims to raise public awareness around the world about the prevention and treatment of loss of vision. The event, taking place this year on 10 October 2002, will draw attention to the right to sight. The day will focus on governments’ pledges to ensure increased access to health services in relation to both prevention and treatment of eye conditions. Providing access to eye care, which reduces the magnitude of avoidable blindness, is part of the obligation under the right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Up to 80% of cases of blindness are avoidable, either resulting from preventable conditions (20%) or being treatable (60%) so that sight is restored. Prevention and treatment of vision loss are among the most cost-effective and successful of all health interventions. These interventions include: cataract surgery to cure this eye disease related to ageing; prevention of trachoma; provision of the drug ivermectin for the treatment of the infectious disease river blindness; immunization against measles; provision of vitamin A supplements for the prevention of childhood blindness; and provision of eyeglasses.

Every five seconds one person in the world goes blind. One child goes blind every minute. It is estimated that over seven million people become blind every year.

“VISION 2020: The Right to Sight” is a global initiative, launched in 1999, which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. VISION 2020 programmes have been adopted in more than 40 countries.

“Partners, including governments, working together under VISION 2020 can make a major difference to the lives of millions of women, men and children already visually disabled or at risk. Preserving or restoring vision can be accomplished at little cost and can help lift people out of poverty. They can then contribute fully to their families, communities and national development,” said Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO). “Eye care, therefore, needs to be a priority,” she added, “and it’s not just an issue for health ministries.”

The causes of avoidable blindness are frequently associated with poverty and lack of access to quality eye care services. Avoidable blindness is more common in the poorest of the poor, women and marginalized populations. Ninety percent of the world’s blind people live in developing countries; there are at least 9 million blind people in India, six million in China and seven million in Africa. People who live in the developing world are five to ten times more likely to go blind than people who live in highly industrialized countries.

Therefore, VISION 2020 considers the elimination of preventable and curable blindness in the context of global development. Visual disability has far-reaching implications touching on all aspects of human development – social, economic and quality of life.

VISION 2020 is a joint initiative of WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). They are joined by other UN agencies, governments, eye care organizations, health professionals, philanthropic institutions and individuals all working together in partnership to eliminate avoidable blindness.

Key strategies of VISION 2020 are: increasing awareness of this major public health issue; mobilizing additional resources (the annual spending on blindness prevention, $US 100 million, needs to double); controlling the major causes of avoidable blindness; training ophthalmologists and other personnel in eye care; and providing appropriate technology and infrastructure.

The annual World Sight Day provides an opportunity to become more aware and more committed to ensuring the right to sight for all. Hundreds of events will take place throughout the world to mark this occasion.

Source:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/pr79/en/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_sight_day/en/index.html

World Glaucoma Week 2012

From March 7 to 13, the world was abuzz with activities planned to raise awareness of glaucoma during the first World Glaucoma Week, an expansion of the observance of World Glaucoma Day, launched in 2008 by the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association.

Hundreds of local initiatives took place in countries circling the globe. They all shared the same goals: raising awareness of glaucoma and the need to get tested, encouraging regular screenings for early detection and treatment, and managing the disease for a fulfilling and productive life.

 The rationale for the global focus of the observance is very clear. It is estimated that only one-half of those affected with glaucoma in developed nations are aware that they have the disease, and as many as 90 percent of people with glaucoma in underdeveloped countries are unaware of having the disease or have not even heard of glaucoma.

Quick Facts about Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive disease that degrades vision over time by increasing the intra ocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye. The odds of contracting glaucoma increase as one ages affecting only 1 in 200 people under 50 but 1 in 10 over eighty. The progression of the disease is slow and subtle and it is this factor that makes periodic screening for the disease a high priority in seniors and those over 55.

Glaucoma can be diagnosed during a standard eye exam and is quite manageable with surgery or medication with stopping the progression of the disease’s effects an achievable goal.

For more information, please view source below:

http://www.wgweek.net/

http://www.worldgpa.org/

https://hooptometrist.wordpress.com/ocular-disease/glaucoma/

http://www.glaucomal.org/about-glaucoma/

Can I Use Eye Drops With My Contact Lenses?

Yes. There are certain eye drops that can be used with contact lenses.

Most over-the-counter eye drops are divided into three categories: “Dry Eye” eye drops, “Get The Red Out ” eye drops and “Contact Lens” eye drops.

“Dry eye” eye drops:

Dry eye drops come in a variety of formulations. Some are thicker than others and may actually cloud your vision or “gum up” your contact lenses. While some of them may be okay for use with contact lenses, they are designed to not only lubricate the eye, but to promote healing of the eye’s surface.

Systane® Lubricating Eye Drops from Alcon® Laboratories, are for sufferers of dry-feeling eyes.

Dry-feeling eyes is an increasingly common 21st century problem due to changes in the way we live, such as the increased use of computer screens, central heating and air conditioning.

Systane® offers unique protection for immediate comfort and long lasting relief from dry-feeling eyes – particularly morning and end of day dryness. The highly developed formulation gets to work as soon as the eye drop comes into contact with your eyes. It contains a unique polymer system which means that upon contact with your tears, the liquid eye drop turns into a thin protective gel layer. The gel-like barrier stays on the ocular surface longer than some conventional drops providing fast and long lasting relief.

Tears Naturale Free^® is preservative-free. 

 If your Eye Doctor or Opthalmologist or Optometrist has recommended a preservative-free product for you dry eye condition, then Tears Naturale Free^® would be an excellent choice.

 

“Get the red out” eye drops:

“Get the red out” drops have special ingredients called VASOCONSTRICTORS. These drops shrink the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that coats the white part of your eye. These eye drops could cause deposits to form of the surface of your contact lenses and if used repetitively to re-wet your contact lenses, could cause “rebound” redness. Rebound redness occurs when the vasoconstrictor wears off. The blood vessels dilate larger, causing the eyes to appear bloodshot. This may cause dependency or mask underlying infections or inflammations.

“Contact lens” eye drops:

Contact lens eye drops are often called re-wetting drops. Re-wetting drops lubricate your eye and hydrate the contact lens, making your eyes more comfortable while wearing your contact lenses. Theses eye drops are labeled “For use with soft contact lenses,” and are usually located next to contact lens cleaning solutions in the store. Eye care professionals usually encourage frequent use of re-wetting drops, as it improves comfort and helps clear out debris underneath your contact lenses.

Renu MultiPlus Lubricating & Rewetting Drops are the simple way to condition your lenses.

 Moisturise your soft contact lenses while wearing them with Renu MultiPlus Lubricating & Rewetting Drops. Renu MultiPlus Lubricating & Rewetting Drops contain Povidone, an effective lubricant that provides moisturising comfort for optimal lens wear.

 

COMPLETE Blink-N-Clean® Lens Drops is another eye drop product indicated for use to lubricate and rewet soft contact lenses, including disposable, daily wear, and extended wear lenses, and RGP contact lenses.

Talk to your eye doctor if you are taking any eye drops for medical eye problems, such as glaucoma. Ask your eye doctor for the best way to insert eye drops and whether or not contact lenses should be worn while taking your medication.

Sources:

http://vision.about.com/od/contactlenses/f/eyedrops.htm

http://www.systane.com/

http://www.renu.com.au/rewettingdrops

http://www.amo-inc.com/products/corneal/contact-lens-lubricating-and-rewetting-eye-drops/complete-blink-n-clean-lens-drops

Parents Must Know: Child’s Vision

What Parents Need to Know?

Children’s vision care is essential to every child’s development. Experts say that over 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually, so making sure your son or daughter has good vision can make a big difference in their academic performance.

Routine eye exams for children can detect any nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism your child has so it can be promptly treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Routine exams are also needed to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and to rule out amblyopia, strabismus and other binocular vision problems that may interfere with your child’s vision development, academic performance and sports vision.

Your Child’s Vision

It’s easy to take a child’s vision for granted. After all, young eyes are healthy eyes, right? 
Not necessarily. Look around your child’s classmate and you’ll find more and more children are wearing spectacles at younger age.

Your Child is not STUPID!

Finding out your child copied wrongly and unable to cope in class does not mean your child is less intelligent.
How can your child perform when he or she cannot see clearly?

More than half of all Malaysian children have not had a comprehensive eye exam. Not to mention going to the right expertise such as Optometrist, Paediatric Optometrist or even Opthalmologist. Many of them need spectacles and don’t even know it. And because 80% of everything children learn comes through their eyes, uncorrected vision problems impact their ability to learn and interact with the world around them.

Can vision problems really affect my child’s behavior?

Yes. In fact some vision disorders are misdiagnosed as behavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This can result in a long and difficult process for parents and children, when the real solution may have been as simple as a trip to the Optometrist or Opthalmologist and proper vision correction.

Don’t let vision problems affect your child’s behavior and performance for the rest of his life.

My child gets vision screenings at school, isn’t that good enough?

No. Many parents believe that school vision screenings are sufficient care for their children’s eyes. But this is not true. Simple eye checks are good for detecting some common problems such as trouble seeing distance. However, they may not catch everything, including astigmatism and blurred vision, just to name a few.

How do I know if my child has a vision problem?

If your child is displaying any of the following symptoms or behaviors, you may want to take them in to an Optometrist  for a comprehensive exam:

• Dislike or avoidance of reading
• Short attention span
• Poor coordination when throwing or catching a ball, copying from chalkboard, or tying their shoes
• Placing their head close to their books or sitting close to the TV
• Excessive blinking or eye rubbing
• Using finger or pencil to guide eyes
• Decreasing performance in school

Your child does not have the ability to understand or describe vision problems. Don’t leave your children’s health up to them; make sure they get a comprehensive eye exam.

How often should I take my child for their eye exam?

Optometrist do recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam at six months, three years and five years of age. After that your child should have a comprehensive annual eye exam (or every two years, if no vision correction is required).

Charity Health Screening in Shah Alam 7th August 2011

On a bright sunny Sunday morning, while others are still tucking in their bed, my wife and i started our journey from Ipoh to Shah Alam for a charity eye screening event co-organised by the Malaysian Glaucoma Society. It was the first screening for some years since my uni days and was quite excited about it. After nearly 3 hours drive, finally found the place….. DEWAN ORANG RAMAI, TAMAN GLENMARIE.

Both of us were surprise to find that there are so many volunteers that turn up that day. Looks like the world is full of love after all. There were different booths for different types of screenings. Some Medical Doctors were there to support as well as people from the hearing department and of course the Eye screening departments.

Its a small hall, but its good enough. Organisors are busy pin pointing the directions for the residents from one booth to another for Blood Pressure checks…… Hearing tests……. Fundus checks….. VA tests…… its like a station master game.

  Well, our team of Optometrist and Optometry Students from UiTM began our screening with no time to lose as more and more residents are coming for the eye test. We set up areas for Preliminary test which includes Cover Test, Hirschberg, Ocular Motility, with VA assesment and lastly Opthalmoscopy. It was busy, but it was worth it. Everybody gave all their best in that day’s service.

 Many of the residents that turn up that day are having their first eye test in years. We manage to handled some cases while detect several cases Cataracts, and DR and referred the residents accordingly.

 

It was a very meaningful day. Met some new friends, learned loads of new things, had a great time…. what more could one asked for. Till next time then…..