Vision 2020 Australia will host a special breakfast on World Sight Day – Thursday 11 October – to celebrate its chair, the Hon Dr Barry Jones’ birthday and his contribution to the eye health and vision care sector.
Additionally, politicians across the country will help promote the message that 75 per cent of blindness and vision loss is preventable or treatable. Senators Richard Di Natale, John Faulkner, Mitch Fifield, Rachel Siewert, Ursula Stephens and members of parliament Dr. Andrew Laming, Amanda Rishworth, Melissa Parke and Teresa Gambaro have agreed to lend their support as World Sight Day Champions.
Global Ambassador and Paralympian Jess Gallagher will also be speaking to staff at AusAID on Wednesday 10 October, sharing her experiences at the London Paralympics and her work with Vision 2020 Australia’s Global Consortium.
Jennifer Gersbeck, CEO of Vision 2020 Australia, hopes the eye health and vision care sector will also rally to raise awareness of this important message.
Promote the message that 75 per cent of blindness and vision loss is preventable or treatable
“World Sight Day is an important date on the calendar to encourage Australians to think about eye health and this year the focus will be on prevention and encouraging people to get their eyes tested,” Ms. Gersbeck said.
“There are a range of activities being developed to encourage the sector to get involved and spread the word,” she said.
Vision 2020 Australia has developed an inaugural World Sight Day hub – www.worldsightday.org.au – which features an events section and hosts a range of fact sheets and media materials which are available for download and can be used to inform activities around World Sight Day.
World Sight Day Challenge
Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is once again getting behind World Sight Day with the World Sight Day Challenge (WSDC). Funds raised from the challenge, which runs throughout October, will support 35 sustainable eye and vision care projects in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australia.
In 2011, more than 400 practices around Australia took up the challenge, with thousands of staff participating. Together the practices raised more than AUD$80,000 for the cause. Additionally, optometry students from The University of Melbourne, University of NSW and Queensland University of Technology raised more than AUD$12,000. Twelve optical companies raised AUD$29,494. In total, the WSDC raised AUD$122,133, while globally, World Sight Day raised approximately AUD$600,000.
To get involved in the WSDC, optometrists and their practices can raise funds by:
- Donating a day of eye exam fees in October, or
- Making a donation from every frame sold or exam given, and by
- Inviting patients to donate during the month.
“The funds raised by our profession each year have an incredible impact on the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired simply because they cannot access an eye exam and glasses,” said Bob Lees, Chair of the National Committee Australia. “Children are especially vulnerable. Providing vision correction to a school-age child can literally transform their entire life.”
“Our profession is at the forefront of global efforts to end refractive error blindness and impaired vision,” said Mr. Lees. “I hope that each person within our profession will take the Challenge and make a donation to Optometry Giving Sight on or around 11 October, World Sight Day.”
OGS is inviting optometry practices, optical suppliers, students and patients to get behind the campaign.
While World Sight Day falls on Thursday 11 October, the Challenge extends throughout October.
For information visit: www.givingsight.org
