“Love Your Eyes” Campaign to Raise Awareness of Eye Health, Especially Among Young Children
Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd (Focus Point), the leading optical retail chain in Malaysia, proudly launched its World Sight Day 2024 campaign today under the theme “Love Your Eyes.” The event, held at Centre Court, Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall, brought together key stakeholders, including Dato’ Sri Suriani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, industry experts, and community members, to emphasize the importance of eye health and raise awareness about myopia and vision impairment.
In conjunction with World Sight Day 2024, Focus Point is hosting a week-long roadshow from 7th to 13th October 2024, featuring a variety of eye health-related activities designed to raise awareness and encourage Malaysians to prioritise their eye health, while making sight accessible to individuals from all walks of life.
“Promoting eye health awareness is essential and is at the core of Focus Point’s mission,” stated Dato’ Liaw, President & CEO of Focus Point. “The statistics are staggering: an estimated 2.7 billion people globally suffer from uncorrected poor vision, while around 1.1 billion are at risk of severe visual impairment. In 2015, it was estimated that 23% of the world’s population had myopia. By 2050, lifestyle changes are anticipated to cause this number to surge to 50%.”
Focus Point has commemorated World Sight Day for the past 12 years. Expanding on this year’s theme, Focus Point is advocating for ‘Love Your Eyes Kids.’ Myopia has become particularly prevalent in Asia, including Malaysia. “As the leading optical chain in Malaysia, we are acutely aware of the importance of caring for sight and are fully committed to educating the public about proper eye care,” added Dato’ Liaw.
The Guest of Honour, Dato’ Sri Suriani, delivered a powerful speech highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness surrounding eye health. “Good eyesight is not just a privilege; it is fundamental to our overall health and well-being,” she stated. “Today, we must recognize that millions of people worldwide are living with vision impairment, many of whom could prevent it through early detection and appropriate care.”
Dato’ Sri Suriani reinforced the importance of proactive eye care, particularly for children, emphasizing that ensuring access to eye care is crucial for their academic and social success. She acknowledged Focus Point’s numerous initiatives aimed at providing essential vision screenings and support to children and local communities, particularly vulnerable populations. Focus Point’s ongoing initiatives include free vision screenings, public health talks, and community outreach efforts. Since the beginning of the year, the company has successfully screened over 26,580 individuals and donated more than 1,000 pairs of eyewear to students in need.
Dato’ Sri Suriani highlighted that the number of optometrists in the country still falls short of the ideal optometrist-to-population ratio. She commended Focus Point for its initiatives to empower optometry students through scholarships, internship support, and job opportunities. As a market leader, Focus Point sets a commendable example by nurturing the next generation of optometrists and collaborating with educational institutions to bridge the gap in eye care services. This commitment spans the entire value chain, from education to employment and entrepreneurship, showcasing their dedication to sustainability.
“As part of Focus Point’s sustainability efforts under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), we encourage everyone to participate in our used eyewear donation campaign and prioritize regular eye examinations,” Dato’ Liaw added. “By working together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals and reduce preventable blindness in Malaysia.”
As part of this campaign, Focus Point is partnering with ZEISS to provide advanced eye screening services and myopia management consultations, showcasing the ZEISS MyoCare, the latest myopia control lens with an innovative design aimed at slowing down myopia progression in children. Visitors to the roadshow can also learn more about glaucoma, cataracts, and LASIK surgery at the ExcelView Eye Specialist Center booth and receive a free assessment from specialists. Additionally, there will be public talks conducted by invited eye care specialists this weekend, providing valuable insights into maintaining eye health and addressing common vision issues.
This World Sight Day, Focus Point invites business partners and the community to join in advocating for eye health and ensuring that every Malaysian has access to quality eye care.
For more information about Focus Point and its World Sight Day activities, visit: www.focus-point.com.my or Facebook page.
