VO Free eye checks, glasses, and cataract operations offer to the public to mark World Sight Day 2014 INTRO: The Ministry of Health, Vientiane Health Department, and Ophthalmology Centre in cooperation with CBM Germany, and the Fred Hollows Foundation on Friday provided free eye checks, glasses, and cataract operations to mark World Sight Day 2014. STORY: The free healthcare activity took place at the Ophthalmology Centre in Vientiane with 1,000 free pairs of glasses available for people in need. World Sight Day is on second Thursday of October every year to focus global attention on vision impairment. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the world population is ageing and living longer, but blindness from chronic conditions is also rising. About 80 percent of the worlds 45 million blind people are aged over 50 years. About 90 percent of blind people live in low-income countries, where older people, especially women, face barriers to getting the necessary eye health care. The numbers of vision impaired and blind people are predicted to double by 2020. However, 80 percent of the cases of blindness could be avoided, 20 percent through prevention and 60 percent via treatment to restore normal sight. World Sight Day came on October 9 this year. However, the day coincided with the traditional boat racing festival and therefore the related sector chose the next day for the charity activity. Some pharmaceutical producers and dealers, including Pharmaceutical Factory No.3 also contributed to the activity this year by providing soft drinks, coffee, and food for attendees at the event.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 06:30:46 +0000
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