#LoveYourEyes

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) was proud to recognize World Sight Day 2023.

A man with a heart shaped icon on his face showcasing the significance of eye health and the potential risks of vision loss caused by eye diseases.

#LoveYourEyes by taking charge of your eye health

Two young girls in front of a heart with the words your eyes, demonstrating the importance of eye care and optometrist visits for optimal eye health.

WHAT IS WORLD SIGHT DAY?

World Sight Day is an international day of awareness coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). It’s an opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to focus on eye health.

World Sight Day was on October 12, 2023.

The #LoveYourEyes campaign was back for another World Sight Day!
To celebrate eye health and the beautiful sights we can take in when we have healthy vision, we launched our first See the Possibilities Photo Contest!

SEE THE POSSIBILITIES
“UNIQUELY CANADIAN” PHOTO CONTEST

What does Canada look like through YOUR eyes?
From butter tarts to the Cabot Trail to your worn-in hockey skates, we asked for your photos that capture the spirit of the Great White North.

YOUR ‘UNIQUELY CANADIAN’ SNAPS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS

COS Choice Winner

Glory
Marie – Sussex, New Brunswick

People’s Choice Winner

Cape Breton Road Trip
Gracie – Dingwall, Nova Scotia

Check out the rest of the photos that were sent in. Pretty sweet, eh?

What else was happening for World Sight Day 2023?

LOVE YOUR EYES AT WORK

A construction worker with vision loss, holding an orange tool on a construction site.

In 2023, the focus of IAPB’s global World Sight Day campaign was on empowering people to look after their eye health in the workplace.

Protect your eyes at work to help boost productivity, reduce the risk of a potentially blinding eye injury, and ease eye strain.

DID YOU KNOW?

Eye injuries are a workplace hazard that can lead to vision loss

If you work in construction or in an industrial setting, you’re at a greater risk of sustaining an eye injury. The good news is that up to 90% of workplace eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate protective eyewear.

Only HALF of Canadians say they ALWAYS/REGULARLY wear protective eyewear for hazardous jobs at work

Illustrated icon of safety glasses.

If you work in a setting with potential eye hazards, ensure you’re provided with appropriate safety eyewear and wear it consistently and properly.

DID YOU KNOW?

Prolonged use of screens can lead to digital eye strain

If your job demands hours in front of a screen, you’re more likely to experience headaches, blurred vision, and signs of irritation like burning, dryness, and tearing. Luckily, you can find relief with a few simple changes:

ADJUST YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN

Sit at about arm’s length (50-70 cm) from your monitor. It’s recommended that your computer screen is slightly below eye level, helping your eyes look downward (the centre of the screen should be 10-12 cm below eye level).

Icon of a laptop with a sun icon on the screen.

ADJUST DISPLAY SETTINGS

Consider adjusting brightness, contrast, colour temperature, and text size for your comfort.

Icon of a desk with a computer and lamp.

USE PROPER LIGHTING & MINIMIZE GLARE

Work in a well-lit room. Position your monitor to avoid glare from lighting or windows.

Icon of a single closed eyelid.

BLINK OFTEN

Try to blink more often to help keep your eyes moist, and use lubricating eye drops if needed.

Icon of a stopwatch.

TAKE BREAKS

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Protect and prioritize your eye health at work, and get regular eye exams to keep your vision healthy.

Are you at risk for any serious eye conditions?

Take the Big 5 Risk Assessment.

A boy with a bandage on his head visits an optometrist for an eye examination.

Do you know the signs of a serious eye injury?

Learn about eye injury.

Looking for more ways to keep your eyes healthy?

Hear from an ophthalmologist.