Kathmandu, October 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 policymaking forums.
It may be noted that the prevalence of blindness in Nepal was 0.84 per cent in 1981. According to the 2022 RAAB survey, the figure has dropped to 0.28 per cent. However, the decline in blindness does not mean that all eye health problems have been addressed.
According to Dr Shailesh Kumar Mishra, executive director of the Netra Jyoti Sangh, issues such as glaucoma, corneal diseases, diabetes-related vision problems, age-related eye diseases and refractive errors have also become growing challenges.
Increasing life expectancy, the burden of non-communicable diseases, changing lifestyles and the widespread use of digital devices are creating new risks to eye health.
The Netra Jyoti Sangh has provided treatment services to more than 50.2 million people and performed eye surgeries on 5.65 million people.
It currently provides eye care services to Nepali citizens as well as foreign nationals through 28 eye hospitals, 44 district branches and 226 treatment centres.
—RSS
