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World Sight Day
World Sight Day is a global initiative providing an opportunity to raise the profile of the causes of blindness and vision impairment and the preventative measures. It takes place on the second Thursday in October every year.
World Sight Day 2010
In 2010, not only did Vision 2020 Australia support the activity of our members, we also undertook some activity of our own. A national advocacy mail out was sent to all federal, Victorian and NSW parliamentarians containing a letter highlighting the key messages around the day and a card simulating the 5 main eye conditions affecting Australians. The simulation card showed what it would be like to have one of the 5 conditions that accounts for 80% of vision loss in Australia. In Victoria, a media picture opportunity was secured in the Sunday Herald Sun promoting the importance of regular eye tests to over 1.5 million Victorian’s.
Other activity conducted by our members included the World Sight Day Challenge, radio broadcasts, various articles published in member publications, segments on national television promoting the key messages, and fundraising events.
World Sight Day 2009
Helping Australians to see more clearly was the theme for World Sight Day 2009 and focused on the need for all Australians to get their eyes tested regularly so that can save their sight as they age. World Sight Day was launched by the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, whom got his eyes tested at Victorian Parliament House.
To draw attention to vision and eye health issues faced Australians, Vision 2020 Australia's members are undertaking activity Australia wide on World Sight Day.
Early detection is the key to protecting your sight as you age
More than 500,000 Australians over the age of 40 are vision impaired or blind and approximately 75 per cent of their conditions were preventable or treatable.¹
People aged 40 and over need to act now. They should have their eyes tested regularly, be vigilant if there are changes to their vision, see their eye health professional early and access support services as soon as it is necessary.
To learn more about blindness and vision impairment in Australia please visit our page on the Five main causes of blindness and vision impairment in Australia.
¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Vision problems among older Australians. Bulletin. Issue 27, July 2005.
World Sight Day 2008
World Sight Day 2008 was held on Thursday 9 October and the theme was:
Eyes on the Future - vision and ageing
Our vision for the ageing population is:
- they have the best possible vision to last their lifetime
- they can lead active and independent lives
- they have access to good eye care services
- that their birth place not deny them the right to sight.
To draw attention to the vision and eye health issues faced by people as they age, Vision 2020 Australia members held events Australia wide on World Sight Day.
Early detection is the key to protecting your sight as you age
More than 500,000 Australians over the age of 40 are vision impaired or blind and approximately 75 per cent of their conditions were preventable or treatable.¹
People aged 40 and over need to act now. They should have their eyes tested regularly, be vigilant if there are changes to their vision, see their eye health professional early and access support services as soon as it is necessary.
To learn more about blindness and vision impairment in Australia please visit our page on the Five main causes of blindness and vision impairment in Australia.
¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Vision problems among older Australians. Bulletin. Issue 27, July 2005.
World Sight Day 2007
World Sight Day 2007 was on Thursday 11 October and the theme was:
Our Vision for Children is...
- that they have the best possible vision to last their lifetime (prevention focus)
- that they can all lead active and independent lives (low vision focus)
- that all have access to good eye care services (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus)
- that their birth place does not deny them the right to sight (global focus)
To draw attention to the issue of children and eye health, Vision 2020 Australia´s members are holding events Australia-wide on World Sight Day. For more information about Vision 2020 Australia's members please visit our Members page.
Parents should be more vigilant about their children´s eye health
Parents need to be aware about looking for signs of eye or vision problems in their children.
Eye professionals agree that the vision of all children should be screened at birth and followed up with regular examinations throughout their years at school. It has been proven that early detection of vision loss and therefore early intervention is a key factor in improving the outcome for children with vision problems.
World Sight Day 2006
World Sight Day 2006 focused on low vision. Nearly half a million Australians are blind or vision impaired. Amazingly, only 3% access services that could make a significant difference to their health and livelihoods.
Vision 2020 Australia and their member organisations asked Australians to take action on World Sight Day: Low vision? Look into it!
World Sight Day 2005
The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health & Ageing launched World Sight Day 2005 on 13 October. Over 140 federal politicians showed their commitment to recognising eye health and vision care as an important health issue by signing the 'VISION 2020 The Right to Sight' Global Declaration of Support.
The main initiative of VISION 2020 globally is to collect 20 million signatures from politicians and key influencers around the world. The response in Australia has been very encouraging.
