Every October, World Blindness Awareness Month brings attention to the daily challenges faced by the blind and visually impaired community. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “everyone, if they live long enough, will experience at least one eye disease or disorder in their lifetime.”
Two globally recognized blindness outreach organizations — The National Federation of the Blind and The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness — offer multiple helpful resources to individuals and their families who are affected directly or indirectly by the daily challenges of severe visual impairment and total blindness.
Of the estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide who suffer from blindness caused by refractive error, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions, the WHO estimates about 80% of these cases are preventable. Read the American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO)’s 21 Ways Aging Changes Your Eyes to learn more on changes in the eyes that come with age and lead to worsening eyesight as individuals grow older.
By age 40, all asymptomatic adults should have a first-time comprehensive eye exam. Call UNC Kittner Eye Center at 984-974-2020 today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam with a UNC Ophthalmology ophthalmologist or optometrist.