Love Your Eyes

The human tendency is one in which we try to protect what we value and love. Sadly, while we all agree we love ourselves we tend to ignore our general health. When was the last time you had your eyes checked? We are faced with a reality regarding the high costs associated with maintaining one’s eye health. In Jamaica, the average cost to have one’s eyes checked is $9,000. Let us not even mention the cost for prescription glasses which can easily cost more than $100,000 for both the frame of the eye glass as well as to fit the lenses. Regrettably, health insurance is not readily available to most of the world’s population who live in poverty. The prevalence of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions is estimated to be four times higher than in high-income regions With regards to near vision, rates of unaddressed near vision impairment are estimated to be greater than 80% in western, eastern and central sub-Saharan Africa, while comparative rates in high-income regions of North America, Australasia, Western Europe, and of Asia-Pacific are reported to be lower than 10%. There has always been confusion regarding eye care practitioners such as an ophthalmologist, optician and an optometrist. An optometrist is a practitioner who provides primary eye and vision care, performs eye examinations to detect vision problems, and prescribes corrective lenses to correct those problems, however an ophthalmologist, is a physician who specializes in evaluating and treating diseases of the eye. The optician dispenses glasses based on a prescription from the ophthalmologist. It is recommended that we first consult an ophthalmologist. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, at least 1 billion people have near or distance vision impairment that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed. Vision impairment affects people of all ages, with the majority being over the age of 50. Vision impairment and blindness can have major and long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities and the ability to access public services. The WHO states unoperated cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes of vision impairment. Other causes such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, infectious diseases of the eye, and trauma, however, cannot be ignored and need to be addressed. World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on vision impairment, including blindness. This year, World Sight Day will take place on October 14, 2021 with the theme: Love Your Eyes. Personal impact The WHO states young children with early onset severe vision impairment can experience delayed motor, language, emotional, social and cognitive development, with lifelong consequences. School-age children with vision impairment can also experience lower levels of educational achievement. Vision impairment severely impacts quality of life among adult populations. Adults with vision impairment often have lower rates of workforce participation and productivity and higher rates of depression and anxiety. In the case of older adults, vision impairment can contribute to social isolation, difficulty walking, a higher risk of falls and fractures, and a greater likelihood of early entry into nursing or care homes. Economic impact Vision impairment poses an enormous global financial burden. According to The World Health Organization the annual global costs of productivity losses associated with vision impairment from uncorrected myopia and presbyopia alone were estimated to be US$ 244 billion and US$ 25.4 billion, respectively. There are numerous individuals who do not have the financial means to have their eyes checked. A significant number of students receive failing grades due to poor vision which oftentimes can be corrected by the wearing of glasses. In some societies there are service clubs which facilitate free eye screening for such individuals. Our eyes are windows to our well-being. As we commemorate World Sight Day it is important that we make every effort to have our eyes checked at least once per year. It is also critical that we follow the suggestions of our eye care provider and receive treatment where necessary. It is also important to disclose to your eye care provider any eye disease which might be hereditary in your family in order for special screening if necessary. In instances where irreversible vision impairment exist let us strive for vision rehabilitation and management which can be very effective in improving functioning for people with an irreversible vision impairment that can be caused by eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, consequences of trauma and age-related macular degeneration. Love your eyes! Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo #WorldSightDay #LoveYourEyes ©