News

Article

World Sight Day: HCP Cureblindness brings attention to avoidable vision loss globally

Held the second Thursday each October, World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Nuthawut)

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Nuthawut)

HCP Cureblindness (Himalayan Cataract Project) is celebrating World Sight Day by bringing attention to avoidable blindness globally to help individuals in developing countries retain and regain their sight.

Held the second Thursday of each October, World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

In a press release, HCP announced it will also be supporting the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) #LoveYourEyes at Work campaign, which encourages workplace vision screenings globally.

Fourty-three million people globally are blind, while another 295 million suffer from moderate-to-severe vision impairment, stated HCP in the release. Furhermore, 90% of these individuals live in low-to-middle income countries.

According to the release from HCP, vision loss causes over $400 billion in lost productivity annually and reduces employment. In people with blindness or moderate-to-severe vision impairment, overall reduction in employment is 30%. While the risk of premature mortality is 157% higher for people with blindness and 49% higher for people with vision loss that is moderate to severe or worse.

"This World Sight Day, HCP is shining a light on why avoidable blindness can – and must – be overcome," said K-T Overbey, HCP's CEO. "For more than 25 years, HCP has worked alongside a capable network of collaborators to help people globally retain and regain their sight by developing high-quality, cost-effective eye care systems in underserved areas of the world."

HCP states the solution lies in cataracts and corneal blindness awareness. “With early detection and treatment, the impact of many causes of blindness can be treated – and often cured – improving the quality of life for those individuals affected,” said the organization in the release.

According to the release, almost half of all blindness is due to cataracts, and there are millions who suffer from corneal blindness which, in most cases, is preventable or treatable.

References:
  1. World Sight Day is October 12, 2023 - HCP Cureblindness Shines Light on Avoidable Blindness and Its Mission to Help Individuals in Underserved Countries Retain and Regain Their Sight. Press Release. Released October 5, 2023. Accessed October 9, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-sight-day-is-october-12-2023---hcp-cureblindness-shines-light-on-avoidable-blindness-and-its-mission-to-help-individuals-in-underserved-countries-retain-and-regain-their-sight-301947960.html

Related Videos
Bonnie An Henderson, MD, and EnVision Summit 2025 preview
Dr. Amir Ghanipour discusses light adjustable lenses for cataracts at EyeCon 2024
Arun Gulani, MD: How the Gni instrument enhances precision and control in cataract surgery
EyeCon 2024: Laura M. Periman, MD, shares her passion for dry eye disease, discussing her surprising discovery of the Alpenglow Sign in Demodex blepharitis
Fasika Woreta, MD, MPH, Eugene de Juan, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmic Education at Wilmer Eye Institute’s Baltimore and Columbia locations, discusses the NMA meeting
Cochair Kelly K. Nichols, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO, highlights her passion for dry eye research and the vital collaboration between ophthalmology and optometry
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.