Atlanta vision advocates to host World Sight Day events

Members of the vision-advocacy coalition Georgia Vision 20/20, including Emory Eye Center, will celebrate the 2019 World Sight Day during the first week of October with a free community vision event and a talk from speaker Susan Robinson.

Founded by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness dedicated to focusing global attention on blindness and vision impairment celebrated around the world. The IAPB estimates that 253 million people are currently living with some form of visual impairment – 75 percent of which is thought to be preventable.

In advance of World Sight Day, on Thursday, Oct. 3, speaker and multi-sector leader Susan Robinson will address guests at the Buckhead Club to share her experiences as legally blind to shift thinking, elevate potential, and inspire action. Tickets are $10 and available at gavision2020.org.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Georgia Vision 20/20 partners will offer free vision screenings, exams, and education, as well as free prescription glasses (while supplies last) at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. The event will run from 10 AM to 2 PM, is open to both adults and children, and is first come, first served.

Georgia Vision 20/20 is a network of vision service providers collaborating to prevent visual impairment and helping Georgians achieve their full visual potential through health promotions and education, service delivery, and advocacy. Members include Premier Ophthalmic Services, Inc., Emory Eye Center, Prevent Blindness Georgia, The Lighthouse, the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology, the Georgia Eye Bank, and the Center for the Visually Impaired.

For more information on World Sight Day events, visit gavision2020.org or iapb.org.