Eyecare Awareness Week 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Candice Francis
South African Optometric Association
011-805-4517
082 688 7816
pro@saoa.co.za
The South African Optometric Association’s Vision for Eye care Awareness Week 2008(6-10 October)
The South African Optometric Association, along with all eye care stakeholders will be turning the focus of the South African public towards the eye this Eye Care Awareness Week (6-10 October).This year’s theme is ‘Vision Impairment in Later Life’. The eye is often neglected, and this could lead to serious eye conditions and diseases. During this pivotal week in the eye care calendar, The South African Optometric Association takes every opportunity to highlight and emphasis the importance of good eye care and healthy sight.
The SAOA is the professional body for South Africa’s premier eye care practitioners, optometrists. Optometrists recommend regular eye tests from a young age, to detect and correct any vision problems that could potentially intensify with age. The eye is known to be more prone to macular degeneration and refractive error after age 40.
Although poor vision can effect all South Africans regardless of age, The SAOA has geared all of their events and initiatives during ECAW towards the aging eye. One of these events is the annual Grace Bible Church testing day in Soweto on the 9 October (World Sight Day). Over 500 pensioners have their eyes tested by SAOA member optometrists and University of Johannesburg optometric students. The SAOA/Grace Bible church initiative offers an integral healthcare service to a community that has little or no access to eye care.
The fundraising leg of The SAOA, Vision in Sight Trust, will be making South African History this year. It will be attempting to set an eye screening record at its ‘Set Your Sight On A Record’ event at Monte Casino on Friday the 17 October. The Trust aims to attract over 2000 individuals of all ages to set the record. Carrying through the theme of ECAW 2008, the entire morning at Monte Casino will be dedicated to the over 60’s. Once again SAOA member optometrists will be offering their expertise free of charge. All the proceeds of the ‘Set Your Sight On A Record’ day will benefit the Vision in Sight Trust, who provide eye care to individuals who are unable to afford it. ‘Set Your Sight On A Record’ is generously sponsored by Transitions Optical and Oakley Eye Wear.
The SAOA partners with many eye care stakeholders during ECAW. Retina SA, SANCB, The Department of Health, and The Lions Club are amongst them.
"Underestimating the importance of your sight is underestimating the beauty of your world" unknown
