October is Eye Injury Prevention Month

What is Eye Injury Prevention Month?

Eye Injury Prevention Month is sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as a reminder to protect your eyes.  Almost half of all eye injuries occur at home and the others occur while at work or playing sports.  This important issue is highlighted many times during the year by both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Prevent Blindness America as it is preventable!  Please learn more and protect your eyes.  

Read about National Sports Safety Month
Read about Fireworks Eye Safety Month
Read about Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Read about Sports Eye Safety Month 

World Health Organization’s World Sight Day

“World Sight Day (WSD) is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment."

Learn more about World Sight Day (WSD)

What are some causes of avoidable blindness?

One of the most common causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment are cataracts or clouding of the lens inside of the eye.   Learn more about cataracts in August is Cataract Awareness Month.  Another cause of avoidable blindness worldwide are infections such as trachoma or onchocerciasis (river blindness).  Effective action plans include the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, face-washing, and environmental hygiene).  

The WHO also has millennium development goals which will positively impact eye health and the global economy including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, universal primary education, gender equality, reducing child mortality and a global partnership for development     

Where can I learn more?

World Sight Day and International Key Messages  

Learn more about the WHO Action Plan to prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment.