Campaign Launched For World Sight Day
A charity for the blind and vision impaired is marking World Sight Day today [Oct 9] by launching a campaign to raise funds for the prevention and management of sight loss.
The Society for the Blind also wants to use the landmark day to raise awareness of glaucoma and cataracts – the two leading causes of vision loss in Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “About four percent of the world’s population, or 285 million people, live with blindness and low vision. In Bermuda, the statistics are similar – the 2010 census shows 3.8 percent of the island’s population [2,416 people] report seeing difficulties that could not be fixed with corrective lenses.
“In addition, nearly 1,000 of these people reported their vision difficulties impacted their daily activities. With an increasingly elderly population, more people will be at risk of age-related vision impairment.”
Society President Amanda Marshall said, “Generous giving from the community over the past year has enabled us, as promised, to offer on-island vision rehabilitation services for the first time.
“When our rehabilitation services began last month, approximately 40 people were on a waiting list and we were aware of about 100 additional individuals who were in need of service.”
“Dr. Marshall said the fundraising drive would help to continue provision of vision rehabilitation services to all people with low vision in our community who need help to learn to live well with vision loss, to launch group services which have the advantage of incorporating support among people with vision loss, and to enable prevention education efforts.
“The theme of World Sight Day 2014 is ‘No More Avoidable Blindness,’ and hopes to draw attention to the World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan, which aims to reduce avoidable blindness by 25 percent by 2019.
“Society Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Jane Charlton, said she would encourage everyone to see their eye doctor regularly.
“The risk of developing cataracts increases as a person ages and glaucoma can go undetected until significant vision is lost. For many people, however, these two eye diseases, which are the leading causes of vision loss in Bermuda, can be treated medically or surgically if they are detected early,” she said.
“Ongoing eye care is critical, and how often you visit your eye doctor should be based on your eye doctor’s recommendation.”
“Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes vision loss because of damage to the optic nerve, usually caused by abnormally high pressure inside your eye.
“Signs and symptoms may include gradual loss of peripheral vision, usually in both eyes, tunnel vision in the advanced stages, eye pain, often with nausea and vomiting, sudden onset of visual disturbance, often in low light, blurred vision, halos around lights, and reddening of the eye.
“Do not wait for noticeable eye problems to see a docor. One of the most common types, open-angle glaucoma, gives few warning signs until permanent damage has already occurred.
“Factors that increase the risk of glaucoma include elevated internal eye pressure, age over 60, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, medical conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism, other eye conditions, and long-term corticosteroid use.
“To potentially prevent or slow development of glaucoma, get regular eye care. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages before irreversible damage occurs. As a general rule, have comprehensive eye exams every three to five years after age 40 and every year after age 60.
“You may need more frequent screening if you have glaucoma risk factors. Ask your doctor to recommend the right screening schedule for you.
“Treat elevated eye pressure. Glaucoma eye drops can significantly reduce the risk that elevated eye pressure will progress to glaucoma. To be effective, these drops must be taken regularly even if you have no symptoms.
“You should also eat a healthy diet and wear eye protection.
“A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. With a cataract, vision can be like looking through a fogged-up window and it becomes difficult to read, drive [especially at night], and detect facial expressions.
“Signs and symptoms may include clouded, blurred, or dim vision, increasing difficulty with vision at night, light sensitivity, seeing “halos” around lights, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, fading of colors, and double vision in a single eye.
“Make an appointment for an eye exam if you notice any changes in your vision. If you develop sudden vision changes, such as double vision or blurriness, see your doctor right away.
“Factors that increase the risk of cataracts include increasing age, diabetes, drinking excess amounts of alcohol, excessive exposure to sunlight or radiation treatments, family history, elevated blood pressure, obesity, smoking, previous eye injuries or surgeries, and long-term corticosteroid use.
“To potentially prevent or slow the development of cataracts, have regular eye examinations, don’t smoke or quit smoking, reduce alcohol use, wear sunglasses, keep diabetes well controlled and manage other health problems, maintain a healthy weight, choose a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.”
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