14 October, 2010
14 October 2010
WORLD SIGHT DAY 2010
The Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Mitch Fifield, today welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness about eye health by acknowledging World Sight Day 2010.
World Sight Day, falling on the 14th of October this year, is a global initiative to promote the importance of ocular health.
This year, there will be an emphasis on the issue of avoidable vision loss and blindness.
“World Sight Day is a great opportunity to draw the attention of Australians to the importance of eye health and vision care,” Senator Fifield said.
“According to Vision 2020 Australia, around 575,000 Australians over the age of 40 experience vision loss, and around 75% of these cases are preventable.”
Senator Fifield encouraged all Australians to have their eyes tested regularly, particularly if they are over the age of forty, or have a family history of eye disease, are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent or have diabetes.
“It is estimated that 80% of blindness is avoidable, so early detection is the key to saving your sight.”
“I encourage all Australians to take the time to have their eyes checked and remember the importance of eye health.”
For further information on World Sight Day visit: http://www.vision2020australia.org.au.