3 in 4 Can Avoid Blindness with a Regular Eye Exam: Bringing Awareness this World Sight Day

Tuesday, October 6 2020 | 16 h 31 min | News, Press Release

Fighting Blindness Canada urges all Canadians to schedule their regular eye exams to avoid blindness on this World Sight Day taking place Thursday, October 8, 2020.

World Sight Day is an international day of awareness, held annually on the second Thursday of October to focus attention on the global issue of eye health.

Today, 1 in 7 people in Canada will develop a serious eye disease in their lifetime. Every 12 minutes, someone in Canada begins to lose their eyesight. Furthermore, the prevalence of vision loss in Canada is expected to increase nearly 30% in the next decade.

The good news, thanks to research discoveries becoming today’s treatments, 3 in 4 cases of vision loss are preventable –if diagnosed early.

A 2018 survey, commissioned by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), revealed the majority of Canadians (59%) experience symptoms of potential eye disease, yet only half (54%) reported they had seen a health care professional about these symptoms. This is particularly concerning as early detection is key in preventing eye disease from progressing or resulting in vision loss or blindness.

“This year’s World Sight Day is an important reminder to remain focused on your vision health. Even during uncertain COVID times, vision cannot be neglected,” says Doug Earle, President and CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. He adds, “Eye specialists are working hard to reduce the risk of COVID-19 when you seek vision care.  Let’s make sure we all see each other on the other side of COVID-19.”

Click HERE for the full press release.