The first "open day" of the Institute for the Blind F. Cavazza was an opportunity for many citizens to come through its doors and learn at first hand about the many services offered to people who live with vision loss.
Between visits to the Tolomeo and Anteros museums and a look at the latest technology in the Technology Help Centre, visitors could also undergo an ophthalmological screening for free. The screening, aimed at the population over the age of 50, focused on the early detection of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, both eye diseases very common among adults and the elderly.
The diagnostic and therapeutic services were provided thanks to the collaboration of AMOA (Association of Ophthalmologists for Africa) and the Ophthalmology Services of the S. Orsola Malpighi Polyclinic, directed by Dr. Antonio Ciardella. Glaucoma has an estimated overall prevalence of 2.5-3% in the population over the age of 40 while age-related macular degeneration is estimated to affect 0.2% of the population aged between 55 and 64 years and can reach up to 13% of the population over the age of 85.
These numbers combined with the great success of this first edition in terms of participation convinced the Institute that the day could be made a regular event in the future. Spreading the culture of eye-disease prevention and informing people about rehabilitation, integration and independence for people living with vision loss will remain the overall goal.
Italiano
.png "Aderente alla Consulta tra le Antiche Istituzioni Bolognesi"){kind=logo}