Media Release
8 October 2003
Eyes focus on World Sight Day
AUCKLAND - Many eyes will be focused on one spot as The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) starts its
national conference on World Sight Day, Thursday, October 9.
World Sight Day is an annual event focusing on the problem of global blindness; it aims to raise public awareness around
the world about the prevention and treatment of loss of vision.
An estimated 180 million people world-wide are visually disabled. Of those, between 40 and 45 million persons are blind.
Due to growing populations and ageing, these numbers are expected to double by the year 2020 making a colossal human
tragedy even worse, stalling development and denying a basic human right.
"Every five seconds one person in the world goes blind. One child goes blind every minute. It is estimated that more
than seven million people become blind every year," says Dr Lesley Frederikson, national director of NZAO.
"We have more than 250 optometrists gathering in Auckland to listen and learn from a number of eye-health specialists
from all over New Zealand.
"We also have international guests, including Dr Carl Jacobsen, manager of the prestigious
Berkerley Medical Eye Services Clinic, San Francisco and Dr Daryl Guest, an optometrist who specialises in rural and
remote care and works in Penguin, Tasmania.
"World Sight Day is a good reminder to have your eyes checked by an optometrist if you haven't done so in a while," said
Dr Frederikson.
"Many eye problems can be prevented or treated, if caught early."
The NZAO national conference runs from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 October.
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