Prioritizing Child Eye Health

Eye health is a critical component regarding our overall health and development. Undoubtedly, vision is the most dominant of our senses. Vision plays a critical role in every facet and stage of our lives. We often take our vision for granted, but without vision, we struggle to learn, to walk, to read, to participate in school and to work. Unfortunately, eye health is oftentimes not accessible and is rather costly; this reality is concerning especially as it relates to youngsters. It is against this background that World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October. The day is set aside to highlight the importance of protecting our eyes and vision, raise awareness of vision impairment and blindness, and promote eye and vision care. World Sight Day is also an opportunity to debunk myths regarding vision and move towards a world where all children are free from social stigma associated with wearing spectacles or other corrective interventions for their eyes and vision. World Sight Day is a global observance and the focus this year is on Prioritizing Child Eye Health. As a result the world’s attention is on the importance of eye care in young people as well as how we can inspire children everywhere to love their eyes. World Sight Day 2024 is a day when organizations, communities, and individuals come together to focus on eye health and vision care. It aims to promote eye health awareness and advocate for access to quality eye care services. This day emphasizes the importance of regular eye check-ups, early intervention in eye conditions, and the prevention of avoidable blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. Among children, congenital cataract is a leading cause of vision impairment in low-income countries, whereas in middle-income countries it is more likely to be retinopathy of prematurity. According to the WHO uncorrected vision impairment may impact education and social inclusion. Visual impairments have physical, emotional, social, and economic ramifications, and they play an essential role in determining one's quality of life. Vision impairment poses an enormous global financial burden, with the annual global cost of productivity estimated to be US$ 411 billion. Simple solutions such as spectacles can make a world of difference. Research shows that reducing screen time and spending time outside protects children from developing short-sightedness (myopia), which means that parents, caregivers and educators have a central role to play in protecting the vision of our future generations. Regular eye and vision checks can help to identify issues at an early stage. Regular eye health is critical to unlocking education opportunities and future economic potential. Restoring a person’s sight with a pair of spectacles or with cataract surgery is among the most cost–effective health interventions. The Jamaica Society for the Blind will be hosting a health fair at their location on World Sight Day. A wide range of activities will be on offer to the public. These include free eye examination, neck and shoulder massages, free cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose checks. Prioritize Eye Health. Blindness and low vision are a public health concern throughout the world. Blindness in the Caribbean is estimated at 1%, according to the Barbados Eye Study (BES), although this figure may be higher in poor countries, such as Haiti and slightly lower in the more developed territories. The main causes of blindness in the region are: non-operated Cataract, uncorrected Refractive Error and Low Vision, Diabetic Retinopathy, Childhood Blindness and Glaucoma. Childhood Blindness is not as prevalent, but is a main cause of blinding years in the population. As is the case globally, a high percentage of blindness in the Caribbean is avoidable (preventable or curable). World Sight Day can serve as a reminder that adults should prioritize their eye health, too. It is important to take regular breaks during activities such as reading or using digital devices, and wear eye protection when using tools and chemicals that could damage the eyes. Smoking and UV exposure should also be avoided, for example, by wearing sunglasses and hats when outdoors, to prevent eye diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues its support in achieving global access to quality eye care services, as well as advocating for the “4 Ps" of life-long eye health - Prevent, Protect, Preserve, and Prioritize. On this the occasion of World Sight Day, let us make a pledge to protect the eyes of all children. Our eyes are what connect us to the world. In the words of Albrecht Durer, sight is the noblest sense of man. 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