The theme for WSD 2013 is "Get your Eyes Tested". It's a simple and powerful call to action urging end users to get their eyes tested.
GET
YOUR EYES TESTED
An eye test is the first point of contact and
the first step for diagnosis and treatment for practically every eye condition.
Routine eye exams are important regardless of
your age or physical health. During a routine eye exam, your eye doctor does
more than just determining your prescription for glasses, he/she will also
check for signs of other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, raised
cholesterol levels etc.
Eye exams for children play an important role
in ensuring normal vision development and academic achievement of all kids.
Vision is closely linked to the learning process. Children with undetected
vision problems will not complain simply because they don’t know what normal
vision looks like.
Most eye conditions if detected early can be
managed effectively and blindness/low vision (a dire consequence of eye
disease) prevented.
Blindness and low vision have dire effects on
individuals, families and communities. These effects range from a decrease in
quality of life and increased mortality to large scale economic consequences.
Culturally, there is often a stigma associated with blindness, further
alienating the afflicted from their communities (1).
The impact of blindness and poor vision on
quality of life is particularly alarming for those living in poverty.
Approximately forty five million people in the world are blind, and 87% of
visually impaired people live in developing countries (2). The economic
consequences of blindness are staggering, as 90% of blind individuals cannot work
(4). Thus, poverty and blindness are believed to be intimately linked, with
poverty predisposing to blindness, and blindness exacerbating poverty by
limiting employment opportunities, or by incurring treatment costs.
Blindness also affects family and community
members. Approximately 75% of visually impaired people require assistance with
everyday tasks (5). Blind individuals and the household members who care for
them struggle with reduced earning potential and a decrease in productivity
(6).
Try walking around your home blindfolded for
twenty minutes, you will realize how difficult it is to carry some simple
activities.
Overall, two out of three Nigerians are blind
from causes which could be avoided.
Come on, go get your eyes tested.
