World Sight Day is celebrated October 13, 2016. It is meant to raise public awareness about an important international public health problem: Blindness and Visual impairment.
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness estimates that there are about 285 million people who are either blind (39 million) or visually impaired (246 million) worldwide and that 80% of these cases are treatable or preventable. About 90% of blind people live in low-income countries. These numbers will increase as the world’s population increases and people live longer.
Therefore increase resources should be provided to eliminate the causes of blindness like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors and childhood blindness in Dominica. These are the most prevalent causes of preventable blindness in the Caribbean that were listed to be targeted in the Vision 2020 ‘The Right to Sight’ Global Initiative.
Treating people to restore their sight or employing strategies to prevent blindness is the most cost effective intervention in health care.
However, to eliminate preventable visual impairment or blindness the stakeholders will be ‘STRONGER TOGETHER’ in their delivery of eye care through preventive, curative and rehabilitative programs.
World Sight Day 2016 is meant to draw attention to those involved in delivering eye care. Below are the stakeholders involved in eye care in Dominica:
• Workers who are engaged in eye care or rehabilitation: Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Optician, Ophthalmic Technologist/Technician, Ophthalmic Nurses; Doctors, Family Nurse Practitioners, Operating room nurses, Nurses, Health Educators, Rehabilitative Officer for the Blind, Specialist Teachers for the Blind and Biomedical Technicians.
• Government policies: Free Eye care for all integrated in Primary Health Care, Free eye services for those 18 and younger and those 60 and older at Princess Margaret Hospital, “Yes we care program”, Diabetic Retinopathy Fundus Photography Screening Program island wide and School Vision Program
• Non-Governmental Organizations: The Rotary and Lions Club, Diabetic Association and Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities
• Visiting Eye teams: VOSH, The US Navy Comfort Ship Mission, the Cuban and Chinese eye missions.
• Overseas Eye referral services for eye care not available in Dominica
• Collaboration with various international organizations: World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, Caribbean Council for the Blind, Sight Savers, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and the University of Ottawa Eye Institute.
• Charitable Organizations/ Donors: The Brenda Strafford Foundation and the Church of Latter-Day Saints
• Research programs in Dominica: La Plaine Retinal Dystrophy Study and the Glaucoma Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Study.
• Family and caregivers.
The global action plan 2014-2019 of the World Health Organization is aimed at consolidating the joint efforts of stakeholders towards universal eye health in the world. A plan to have a world where nobody is blind or visually impaired if it can be prevented or treated; where those who have irreversible vision loss can achieve their full potential and where there is universal access to comprehensive eye services.
Make ‘World Sight Day’ matter to you!
Have an eye examination if you are:
– Anyone of any age who wants to have an eye exam as part of your wellness lifestyle
– Over 40 especially if you have a family history of glaucoma
– Diabetic who needs to have an eye photo every year to screen for early detection of diabetic retinopathy
– Parents who should consent for your children to participate in the School Vision program
– Drivers who should ensure that your sight is safe for driving
– Persons who are irreversible blind who should register with the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities to enhance their abilities for independent living, recreation and potential for employment.
Working ‘STRONGER TOGETHER’ we can achieve the goal of Universal Eye Health in Dominica!
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