World Sight Day today

Kathmandu, Oct 8: World Sight Day is being observed today with various programmes under the theme ‘Love Your Eyes, Protect Your Vision.’

World Sight Day is observed every year on the second Thursday of October.

This year’s theme not only encourages individuals to take care of their eyes but also urges the government and stakeholders to ensure accessible and quality eye health services for everyone.

It also highlights the importance of expanding eye check-ups and awareness activities in schools, workplaces, and policy-making places.

It may be noted that back in 1981, the prevalence of blindness in Nepal was 0.84 percent, which, according to the 2022 RAAB survey, has dropped to 0.28 percent.

But just a decrease in blindness does not mean all eye health problems have been solved.

According to Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra, Executive Director at the Netra Jyoti Sangh, issues like glaucoma, corneal diseases, vision problems related to diabetes, age-related eye diseases, and refractive errors have also become growing challenges.

Increasing average life expectancy, the burden of non-communicable diseases, changing lifestyles, and widespread use of digital devices are adding new kinds of risks to eye health.

The Netra Jyoti Sangh has provided treatment services to over 50.2 million people and performed eye surgeries on 5.65 million people.

It currently provides eye care services to Nepali and other foreign nationals through 28 eye hospitals, 44 district branches, and 226 treatment centers. RSS