On World Sight Day, Jaipur takes a pledge for eye donation

11 October, 2012

World Sight Day (WSD) is being observed in Jaipur with a human chain formation, free eye testing camps and a pledge for eye donation. It is hoped that by adopting a social-sensitive and humane approach the awareness about the scale of the problem is increased in the remote parts of the state to prevent blindness.

ACCORDING TO WHO-2010 data, 82% of people over the age of 50 years are blind and the major reasons are uncorrected refractive errors (43%) and cataract (33%). The first cause of blindness among older people is cataract.

WSD is an annual international observance to spread awareness to focus global attention on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired. It is held on the second Thursday in October every year. Globally, WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) organize various events for awareness and advocacy effort to prevent blindness.

Both, WHO and IAPB have launched "Vision 2020: The Right to Sight" project as a global effort to prevent blindness and visual impairment. Under the project attention is being focused on eliminating preventable blindness and improving sight

Here is an exercise for your eyes and the surrounding muscles: close your eyes gently and think of something that is pleasant for 5 seconds, then gently open your eyes and look into the distance for 5 seconds followed by focusing of the eye on the thumb of your extended arm for one minute. In the end, close your eyes gently for 10 seconds. Do this extremely relaxing exercise four or five times a day to take care of your eyes.