EHA's Sue Emirali and MDNZ's Karen Parker at the Bluff event

On 14 October, World Sight Day was marked across the world with celebrations kicking off from Aotearoa’s southernmost tip in Bluff at the Land’s End Boutique Hotel.

The #LoveYourEyes campaign, led by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and supported by Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA), asked New Zealanders and Kiwi eye health providers to pledge to care for their eyes and their patients’ eyes, and book an eye health check. “We are proud to support the IAPB and are very pleased that we had a total of 4,241 pledges made during the month leading up to 14 October,” said Anna Crane, EHA trustee and general manager for Macular Degeneration New Zealand. “Our hope is that the campaign and event will help raise awareness about the importance of eye health for all New Zealanders. As the IAPB has clearly said, ‘everyone counts’.”

EHA deputy chair Sue Emirali opened the live event in Bluff, welcoming guests including local ophthalmologist Dr Mark Rudel, Invercargill-based Labour list MP Dr Liz Craig, Invercargill MP and National Party spokesperson for disability issues, Penny Simmonds, and legally blind peanut butter entrepreneur Pic Picot, who participated in a panel discussion on eye health in Aotearoa. Handing over the baton to the next event across the Tasman, Emirali said that despite restrictions and lockdowns, it had been a wonderful morning, bringing awareness to an incredibly important health issue. “Taking care of your vision health has a huge impact on your wellbeing. I encourage everyone to continue to protect and prioritise your own eye health and of course, Love Your Eyes.”