The Gibraltar Health Authority’s Ophthalmic Unit joins the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and thousands worldwide for World Sight Day held on 10^th October, in order to highlight the importance of prioritising eye health.  To celebrate this day and create further awareness, the GHA together with Public Health Gibraltar will be setting up an informative stall at the Piazza offering advice to the public about eye health and care.

Staff from the St Bernard’s Hospital Ophthalmic Unit will be on site to distribute leaflets and promote awareness about the importance of good eyesight throughout one’s life. They will also be conducting eye pressure and driving Visual Acuity tests on any volunteer who requests it.

The community is invited to join the team at the stall to receive practical information from the GHA’s Ocular Health experts. As a general rule, every person is encouraged to have a sight test at least once every two years.  Prioritising the care and protection of your eyes is essential since early schooling onwards.

The GHA’s Ophthalmic Unit Staff said: “Good eyesight is imperative throughout our lives, affecting education, employment, leisure activities, road safety and our quality of life in general. It is advisable to have a sight test at least every two years. Even if you have great eyesight.”   

GHA Director General Kevin McGee said: “The public is invited to attend our stall to obtain valuable advice about good eye health which impacts every aspect of our lives. Schoolchildren, adults in the workplace, motorists, elderly citizens who are more at risk of eye problems due to ageing, as well as the whole population should be aware of the importance of protecting their eyes.”

Note to Editors

Good eyesight is imperative throughout our lives, affecting education, employment, leisure activities, road safety and our quality of life in general. It is advisable to have a sight test at least every two years. Even if you have great eyesight, it is an opportunity to check for eye diseases and other conditions that you may not know you have.

Everyone can and should have an eye test. Eye tests can be adapted to suit everyone’s needs, including for those who cannot communicate verbally.

World Sight Day’s #LoveYourEyes campaign encourages everyone to love their eyes….

At School and in early years

Whether in school or at play, vision and eye problems can affect children, and affect eye development which is not complete until 7 years of age.

At Work 

No matter where you are or what job you do, it is important to prioritize and protect your eye health at work, to avoid accidents in the workplace, have best productivity and reduce eye strain.

In Old Age

As we get older it is more common to experience eye problems due to ageing of the eye e.g. cataracts, floaters, degeneration of the retina.

On the road 

Most people are unaware that they do not meet vision standard for driving, or the dangers of driving with poor vision. Motorists should make sure their vision is up to standard for the safety of themselves and others.