WSD08: Eyes on the Future - fighting vision impairment in later life


What is World Sight Day?  |  Putting on a WSD08 Event

WSD08 Case Studies | WSD08 Events Worldwide  |  WSD08 Promotional Materials

80% of people living with blindness are over 50. But three-quarters of blindness is needless -- it could have been prevented, treated or cured. Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you have to lose your sight.

Global Key Messages for World Sight Day 2008

  • WSD08 poster - photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee for ORBIS International75% of blindness is avoidable
  • 80% of the world's 45 million blind people are over 50 years of age
  • The risk of conditions such as cataract and macular degeneration increases exponentially with old age
  • 90% of blind people live in low-income countries, where older people often face barriers to health care
  • The main blinding conditions affecting older people are cataract, refractive error, macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
  • The majority of people with low vision are also over age 50
  • Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in older people – yet it can be cured with a simple, cost-effective operation
  • Glaucoma has blinded 4.5 million people worldwide
  • Due to AMD over 3 million people are without sight
  • 8 million people worldwide are functionally blind due to uncorrected refractive errors. A simple sight test and glasses could restore sight to most of these people
  • The world's populations are ageing - don't be robbed of your vision

Latest Planning for World Sight Day , 9th October 2008

World Sight Day 2008 (WSD08) focuses on the ageing eye, and vision impairment in older people. The headline Eyes on the Future, and strapline - fighting vision impairment in later life recognises that in a world where populations are aging, and individuals are living longer, blindness from chronic conditions is also rising.

WSD08 poster - photo by Hugh Rutherford for The Fred Hollows FoundationMembers and supporting organisations are encouraged to append their own specific message to this headline.
 

Downloads are available from the Promotional Materials page, while the WSD08 Implementation Pack page will include guidance on media activities and key messages, ideas for WSD events, background data and fact sheets on VISION 2020.

Regular updates will continue to appear in the monthly VISION 2020 electronic newsletter (subscribe here). The final World Sight Day Activity Report will be published on this website, and notified via the newsletter.

This year's materials will include:

  • The World Sight Day 2008 Report, which highlights an international selection of VISION 2020 programmes addressing eye health in older people
  • A booklet of personal stories, describing the way VISION 2020 interventions have had positive impacts on the lives of older people
  • World Sight Day 2008 posters
  • Colourful bookmarks

                  PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR ORGANISATION IS PLANNING                       by emailing communications@v2020.org