The sense of sight is one of the human senses of the body that is vital in every individual. Through the eyes, we can perceive things such as the object’s shape, color, size, movement, heat and much more. Through our eyesight we can appreciate things vividly.
However, did you know that according to a 2012 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), an approximately 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired, with 39 million blind and 246 million with low vision. While globally, cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness followed by glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration as the secondary causes. Moreover, visual impairment is mainly caused by uncorrected refractive errors followed by cataracts and glaucoma. Vision impairment affects people of all ages which compromises some of the daily activities in everyday life.
In the Philippines, based from Department of Health (DOH) data in 2017, the estimated number of persons who are bilaterally blind is 332,150 of which 33% or around 109,609 is due to cataract, 25% (83,037) due to errors of refraction (EOR) and 14% (46,501) due to glaucoma. The rest are due to other eye conditions like glaucoma, retinopathy, and maculopathy.
The NNC MIMAROPA joins in the celebration of World Sight Day which is celebrated annually every second Thursday of the Month of October to increase awareness and to give attention on vision impairment, including blindness. For 2021, the World Sight Day will take place on 14 October 2021.
Proper nutrition has a big contribution in the eyes’ health. Eating vitamin A rich foods such as carrots, squash, and dairy products that will help in preventing illnesses such as night blindness and dry eyes. Moreover, foods that are high in Omega-3 Fatty acids that are usually found in fishes such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. It is also found in nuts and seeds and may reduce the risk of several eye diseases and dry eyes as well. Additionally, Vitamin C and E are also good for the eyes’ health for they help in protection against cataracts, visual degeneration, and blindness. These vitamins found in citrus fruits, kiwi, guava, and broccoli for vitamin C while vitamin E usually found in vegetable oils and almonds.
Furthermore, proper nutrition accompanied by healthy lifestyle habit such as disciplined screen time, enough eye rest and regular exercise may have a big impact in preventing diseases not only for the eyes but the whole body as well.
Written by PNFP Ace Patriarca
References:
World Heath Organization: World Sight Day 2021 (14 October 2021) https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/10/14/default-calendar/world-sight-day-2021
Public Told: Protect Your Eyes from Blindness – DOH Press Release /06 August 2017 https://doh.gov.ph/node/10735
Department of Health: Prevention of Blindness Program https://doh.gov.ph/national-prevention-of-blindness-program
8 Nutrients that will Optimize Your Eye Health (Atli Arnarson, BSc, PhD, 15 February 2021) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-nutrients-for-eyes#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10
