OCTOBER , 2023 | THE HEALTH

WSD 2023 ACTIVITIES

“ We are delighted Penang has been honoured to host this year ’ s WSD . And we have several programmes lined up for the WSD celebration .

“ We kicked off in September with a virtual run event and a photography competition . On Oct 12 , we will open the doors to the public for free eye screenings at the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang .

“ We will also have educational exhibitions and selected photos from the photography competition . There will also be a colouring contest for children .

“ In line with the ‘ Love Your Eyes at Work ’ theme , we have also taken our initiative to invite employees from multiple government agencies for free eye check-ups .”

LIMITED EYE HEALTH AWARENESS LEVEL

According to Dr Ang , the general public still has limited awareness of eye care and eye health , and most have a misconception about blindness .

“ Globally , 2.2 million people experience vision impairment or blindness , and 80 per cent of these individuals experience preventable impairment or blindness .

“ Many people ignore or are unaware of the early signs and symptoms of eye problems . This leads to them failing to seek early treatment , which can prevent permanent vision impairments and blindness .

“ In Malaysia , a national survey has found that 86 per cent of the blindness cases were avoidable and 58 per cent are treatable . The most common cause of blindness is cataracts , which is treatable .

“ There is also an increasing trend of diabetic retinopathy and open-angle glaucoma cases , which are often missed because patients are unaware of the symptoms .

“ The recommended screening for diabetic retinopathy for a diabetic patient is once a year . However , I ’ ve encountered long-term diabetic patients who have not screened their eyes before and only come in when their vision is very bad .

“ We are also seeing more people in the working age group , aged 40 years and below , affected by diabetic retinopathy .

“ Refractive error is another preventable and treatable vision impairment , which is becoming increasingly prevalent among children . Parents should take their children for an eye examination yearly to ensure that eye health issues are caught early .”

Dr Ang emphasised the importance of continuous education through broadcast media and social media to increase the public ’ s eyecare and eye health awareness .

“ When we conduct our examination , we also like to converse with our patients and explain the screening and examination procedure .

“ Through this method , we can help them understand the availability and importance of preventative eye care procedures and services , and hopefully , through word-of-mouth , they can share with their family and friends .”

WSD falls annually on the second Thursday of October and is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness ( IAPB ).

IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector , with over 150 organisations in over 100 countries working together for a world where everyone has universal access to eye care . – The Health

• Good vision helps us work better . Did you know that a pair of spectacles can improve productivity by 22 per cent ?

• Good vision can improve our earning potential , with one study showing that 46 per cent of people moved up an income bracket after cataract surgery .

• Almost nine out of 10 workplace eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate safety eyewear .

• Eye injuries are workplace hazards that can lead to vision loss .

• Prolonged use of digital screens can affect people of all ages and negatively impact productivity if not managed well .

• Even the slightest vision impairment can reduce your productivity by 10 per cent and your accuracy by 22 per cent .

• Ninety per cent of all sight loss is preventable or treatable . The majority of eye diseases can be treated , or progression slowed , if detected early .

• Around 160.7 million individuals who had moderate to severe sight loss were of working age .

Your workplace computer , alignment of your desk , chair and lighting have a huge impact on how your eyes function , and if you ’ re not careful , it can result in eye strain , headaches , and long-term damage . If your work demands spending hours in front of a screen , do this five-minute check to prevent digital eye strain , protect your eye health and optimise your workplace productivity . √ My chair supports my entire body , and my feet are adequately rested on the floor .

√ My monitor is slightly below eye level , helping my eyes to look downward . Note that the recommended placement is 15- 20 degrees below eye level .

√ My screen is 50-66 cm away from my eyes .

√ My screen can tilt and swivel and has built-in glare filters . My screen is tilted 10 ° to 20 ° away from me .

√ My screen is positioned away from the glare of any lighting or windows . √ My room is well-lit . √ My screen is dust-free . √ My blue light glasses are within reach . √ I have increased fonts and zoomed in to avoid bending or moving closer to my screen . If things aren ’ t clear , or your eyes feel strained , visit your eye care professional . Clear vision could help improve your productivity by 22 per cent !

If you need support to achieve the above , write to your employer and ask that you are provided with occupational health and safety to protect your vision .