World Sight Day triggers eye health screenings across Italy

In observance of World Sight Day, various health initiatives and screenings are being conducted across Italy to promote eye health and early diagnosis of ocular pathologies.

Regional and local organizations are providing free services, including OCT scans for those over 50 in Liguria, pediatric screenings for amblyopia in Petrosino, Brescia, and Cassano delle Murge, and vision checks for children in Salerno. In Modena, optical centers are offering month-long screenings focused on digital eye strain.

Health experts and patient associations are raising concerns regarding the sustainability of eye care within the national health system. Francesco Bandello, president of Apmo, highlighted the risk of ‘dentistry-style’ privatization, where procedures like cataract surgery may face long wait times, disproportionately affecting economically vulnerable populations. Additionally, Bayer noted that over one million people in Italy live with maculopathy, a figure expected to rise due to an aging population and increasing rates of myopia among younger generations.