On World Sight Day, resolve to protect your eyes

Around 285 million people worldwide live with low vision and blindness. Visual impairment is avoidable, treatable and preventable in almost 80% cases.

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October. It’s aim is to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. Cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular-degeneration are the main causes of blindness.

PREVENTION OF VISION LOSS

Maintain good hygiene to avoid eye infections

In case infection occurs, take proper treatment

Take precautions to avoid eye injuries

AVOIDABLE CAUSES OF BLINDNESS IN CHILDREN

Corneal scarring due to Vitamin A deficiency and measles

Cataract

Retinopathy of prematurity

Refractive error mostly myopia

Low vision

PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN

Get the child’s eye check-up done

Visit an ophthalmologist in case child has difficulty in reading

Be careful while lighting the crackers

Proper nutrition in children is must

Play games and exercise

Do not study in dim or poor light

Do not read the book from very close distance

Avoid studying continuously for long hours

Take five minutes break after every hour

Do eye exercises

It is important to know about the preventable causes of blindness.

CATARACT: PREVENTION

Blurry vision after the age of fifty may be due to cataract

Visit an ophthalmologist in case symptoms occur

Get cataract surgery done if required

EYE PROBLEMS Get your eyes tested for refractive errors

Presbyopia is common after 40 years of age

It is often corrected with reading glasses

GLAUCOMA: SIGNS

Patchy blind spots in peripheral or central vision

Blurred vision

Halos around lights

Eye redness

PREVENTION

Measuring intraocular pressure (tonometry) and visual field test in case of any symptoms or family

history of Glaucoma

Regular eye check in case of diabetes or hypertension

Routine eye check up after 40 years is must

Do eye relaxation exercises regularly

Taking precautions and timely treatment of the eye ailments may help to prevent vision loss and protect your sight.