Startup of “I mesi della vista” - First stage is in Milan

The first stage of "I mesi della vista" (Healthy Vision Months), the prevention initiative organized by CDV, has just ended in Milan Organized by CDV in collaboration with Andom, Anfao, Assogruppi Ottica, Federgruppi Ottica, Federottica, SOI, Vision+Onlus and Mido, the project will involve several Italian cities for some months and will be presented at national level in the coming days.   In the meantime, the organization mechanisms were fine-tuned with the debut at the Urban Center in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (corner of Piazza della Scala), Milan. For two days from 10 am to 6 pm, this very busy and conspicuous location hosted ophthalmologists and opticians who performed various eyesight checks in their respective fields and in accordance with a shared protocol.   After enquiring about family medical history, ophthalmologists measured ocular tone and examined the back of the eye to look for any signs of disorders. Opticians performed refraction exams, Amsler tests and measured vision with an autorefractor.   330 screenings were carried out in two days. The ophthalmologists noticed that, in general, patients knew the medical terms used in ophthalmology (maculopathy, glaucoma, cataract, etc.) but frequently did not understand the difference between the various disorders and the problems they bring. For example: almost all patients thought that glaucoma was a tumor and didn't imagine that anomalous blood pressure could be detected by examining the back of the eye and that it is essential to take steps to prevent this disorder.   Most of the children examined – some of them already 6-7 years old – had never been seen by an ophthalmologist, a fact that is always quite alarming. In general, and on this occasion, it is obvious that the public at large is unaware that annual exams must be carried out in order to prevent serious eye diseases and to keep a constant check on eye health. Opticians, on the other hand, noticed that most people were not keen to wear corrective lenses; some who already had glasses did not wear them and many others were divided between those who were aware of having an uncorrected defect and those who were strongly convinced of their ability to adapt, to have good eyesight and not in need of help. There is still a lot to be done to raise awareness and Commissione Difesa Vista and its partners are ready to take up this challenge.