World Sight Day, which falls on Oct. 13 this year, is a global event aimed at drawing attention
to blindness and vision impairment around the world. The event began in 2000 by the SightFirst
campaign of Lions Club International Foundation. It has since been co-ordinated by the IAPB
under the Vision 2020 Global Initiative.
Recently, Optical Prism magazine discussed the importance of World Sight Day with Dr. Barry
Thienes, president of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
Q. Dr. Thienes, why is it important to mark World
Sight Day?
A. World Sight Day is important because 80 per cent of
what a child learns in school is presented visually. Even as
adults we live in a highly visual world gathering much of
our information through visual channels.
Q. What can be done about this problem?
A. Start by taking care of yourself and your family, but also,
advocate to others. Contribute what you can to help others
here and around the world. Consider organizations like
the Vision Institute of Canada, the Optometry Giving
Sight and Canadian Vision Care to vmention a few.
Despite that, many people take their vision for granted
and fail to look after their eyes. That’s concerning when
you consider that 75 per cent of vision loss is correctable
or preventable if you think about your eyes. These are just
some of reasons it’s important to have a day that raises
awareness about the importance of vision.
Q. What can people do to honour this day?
A. People can take care of their own and their families’
vision by booking an eye exam and encouraging friends to
do the same. They can contribute to charities that provide
vision care to less fortunate people here at home or in
other countries.
Q. What are the main concerns related to vision
problems around the world?
A. Around the world the main concerns related to vision
problems are affordability and accessibility to quality vision
care. Approximately 90 per cent of visually impaired
people live in developing countries.
Dr. Thienes volunteering with Canadian Vision Care in
the Phillipenes
Proudly Supporting
Eyecare Professionals since 1988
We are one of Canada's
largest Optical Buying Groups.
Call us:
1-800-263-0010
Visit us: theopticalgroup.ca