October is the right month for checking eyesight
The World Health Organization has prepared a report about the incidence of vision disorders, frequently one of the main causes of “functional blindness”. The report showed that 42% of vision deficiencies can be remedied by using the appropriate correction.
To improve the quality of Italians’ eyesight, for many years Federottica and the Roll of Optometrists have been promoting a specific campaign at the service of the general public, titled Ottobre mese della vista (October is eyesight month). Starting October 1 through 31, thousands of optometrists will make their professionalism available to the public by offering free eye exams throughout Italy.
Ottobre mese della vista is a very useful opportunity for prevention. Reliable studies in the optometry field have shown that 1 in 5 Italians have never had their eyesight checked by a specialist, that over 60% have not checked their eye health for over 3 years, and that 1 in 4 citizens have uncorrected vision deficiencies that could have a negative effect on their work and leisure time.
This year, the Ottobre mese della vista campaign is linked primarily to vision disorders which affect individuals on average from the age of forty, such as presbyopia – the difficulty of focusing on objects up close. Because of the increased average lifespan, improving the eyesight of mature people is a particularly interesting challenge.
It is also essential to remind people who already wear eyeglasses and contact lenses for correcting defects that their quality is inseparably linked to optimal vision efficiency. For this reason, it is good practice to have eyeglasses checked, even periodically, to ensure that they have not been damaged or that they still meet vision requirements, which change continually over the years. As far as contact lenses are concerned, they must be used and maintained correctly. In both cases, the recommendations and advice of an optometrist are very important.
This is the message optometrists will be conveying during October to foster knowledge about the importance of annual checks of vision acuity, refractive errors, sensitivity to contrast, and the assessment of the interaction between vision and balance.
Special attention will also be given to suggesting additional checks by specialists for cases that are not within their specific area of expertise, thereby contributing to an important social function and to raising the awareness of the public about paying increasing attention to personal health.
Citizens who wish to take advantage of the campaign and have their eyesight checked should go to optical centers displaying the Ottobre mese della vista poster or contact Federottica’s provincial association in their area for information about all the optical centers taking part in the initiative.
“Hectic daily lifestyles” – said Federottica president Giulio Velati – “often means neglecting the need to check, at least once a year, vision efficiency in order to prevent and correct deficiencies. The quality of eyesight affects the quality of life and everyday work, but this is something people often forget. And it is only right that we should remind them. As optometrists, we are the first filter and the first important and essential players in raising the awareness of the public about keeping eyesight efficient”.
