On the way ‘Prevention doesn’t go on holiday’the summer campaign of free eye exams promoted and financed by the Italian Section of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness – Iapb Italia Onlus and implemented at a territorial level by the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Messina.
In Messina, reservations are open for the checks which will take place on the first two Mondays of July (1 and 8 July), at the Union headquarters, in via Santa Cecilia 98, by calling the number 090.2938637 from 8.30am to 1.30pm and from 3.30pm to 6pm.
Summer is a season where the eyes are put to the test and it is advisable to take care of them and learn good habits to protect themselves from exposure to the sun’s rays and more.
Angelina Benvegna, councilor of the Uici Messina section explains the value of the initiative: “It is a useful campaign for accessing free eye exams, but which also aims to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of one’s eyesight and knowing which precautions and good practices are able to safeguard the eyes, to prevent various eye diseases”.
“In summer, in particular – explains Benvegna – you have to be very careful about the risks deriving from excessive exposure, on holiday at the seaside or in the mountains. It is also important to protect the sight of the little ones. Good practice – observes the councilor of the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Messina – is to wear certified sunglasses; wear a cap with a visor and drink a lot to avoid excessive dehydration which also affects the eyes. It is also advisable to avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day.”
About the dangers of excessive sun exposure, talk Giuseppe Ruggieri, ophthalmologist, director of the Uici eye clinic in Messina“the campaign – he says – is divided into two areas: one which concerns the pathologies that can occur due to excessive exposure to sunlight, and therefore diseases which concern the retina and the macula, in particular, the most noble and delicate central part of the retina of sight, in the sense of 10/10 full. The other area concerns prevention. Using good sunglasses goes together with avoiding looking directly at the sun and sources of excessive lighting. Prevention – adds Ruggieri – also concerns the good treatment of pre-existing pathologies and those that could arise, think of diabetes or hypertension and various other pathologies.
Obviously this behavior must not only concern the summer period. Prevention is important all year round. I am thinking for example of glaucoma, where it is absolutely essential to control eye pressure to avoid future damage from this pathology.”
