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Gift of Sight Month – December 2024

Gift of Sight Month is commemorated every year in December, in an attempt to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, regularly getting eye check-ups done, and taking care of our eyes. It’s safe to say that our vision is something we all take for granted and it is usually hard to be grateful for something when we’ve had it all our lives. However, many people around the world might consider good eyesight a luxury even. Healthy vision plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being and so it’s obvious that it’s important to spend some time looking after them.

History of Gift of Sight Month

December has been designated as Gift of Sight Month by Versant Health, an American vision care company, in honor of the wonders afforded by regular eye care and healthy vision during the holiday season. For many Americans, it often means having access to affordable and quality eye care.

The company established the holiday after a Vision Wellness Study discovered that only 51% of people regularly saw an eye doctor. The same study also found that 39% of consumers mentioned cost and affordability as the reason behind household members not seeing an eye doctor as frequently as they would like to. Gift of Sight Month aims to address these issues with both action and education. Research has shown that regular eye exams not only protect us from debilitating eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, but they can also be a means of detecting some common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia.

With the Gift of Sight Month campaign, there is heavy advocacy for eye exams as a low-cost and effective form of preventative medicine. It focuses on the connection between eye health, wellness, and overall health, with the eye exam being at the heart of this intersection. Whether you’re eight years old or 80 years old, routine eye exams are crucial not just for your vision and eye health, but for a myriad of other health conditions.

Gift of Sight Month timeline

600 Million Years Ago
The First Proto-Eyes

The first proto-eyes evolve among animals at the time of the Cambrian explosion.

600 B.C.
The Father of Surgery

Indian physician Sushruta develops surgical procedures and is the first to perform cataract surgery by couching.

1948
LASIK

The technique that inspires LASIK is first used to correct a refractive error.

2019
The Month is Established

Versant Health designates December as Gift of Sight Month.

Gift of Sight Month FAQs

Do eyes have bones?

The eye is made up of seven orbital bones.

What is the rarest eye color?

Green is the rarest eye color.

What is the most important part of the eye

One of the most important parts of the eye is the retina because it converts the light captured by the eye into electric signals that can be processed by the brain.

How to Observe Gift of Sight Month

  1. Get an eye exam

    Call your doctor and fix an appointment today! It doesn’t matter if you have perfect eyesight, it’s important to keep getting routine eye check-ups done every once in a while. They’re quick and painless!

  2. Consider donation

    Donate to non-profits and other organizations working hard to help heal people’s eyes. A small donation could mean wide access to eye healthcare for many people.

  3. Raise awareness

    Spread information about the Gift of Sight Month and everything it stands for among your friends and family. Post pictures of you getting your exam done on social media to inspire more people!

5 Amazing Facts About The Human Eyes

  1. They’re multitaskers

    The human eyes can focus on 50 different objects every second.

  2. They see a wide range of colors

    Your eyes can distinguish about 10 million different colors.

  3. Wink wink

    The average person blinks 15 to 20 times per minute.

  4. We’re not alone

    Shark corneas are nearly identical to the human cornea and have even been used in human eye surgery.

  5. Eye color varies

    Heterochromia is the medical term for having two different colored irises.

Why Gift of Sight Month is Important

  1. Many illnesses can be prevented

    Routine eye check-ups are the best way to avoid illnesses from escalating and can even detect non-eye-related diseases. Don’t wait till it’s too late and get a preventative eye exam done.

  2. It encourages good health

    Healthy vision and eye health affect our overall well-being too. Taking care of your eyes is not just great for your vision but your whole body will thank you for it.

  3. It promotes access to healthcare

    Access to decent and affordable healthcare is still a dream for many Americans. The month promotes better access for all along with providing tips and resources.

Gift of Sight Month dates

YearDateDay
2024December 1Sunday
2025December 1Monday
2026December 1Tuesday
2027December 1Wednesday
2028December 1Friday

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