Primary school children nationwide will be lighting up playgrounds with eye-catching eyewear as part of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s (RNZFB) “Funky Eye Friday”, 22 September. 

Each year, Funky Eye Friday gets pupils to have lots of fun creating wacky eyewear, out of anything they can get their hands on - lollies, feathers, pipe cleaners, Lego, bottle tops – anything goes!  While the funkiest frames win Dirty Dog Eyewear sunglasses, raising awareness about eye-care and vision loss is an important part of the activity.  

Chris Inglis, RNZFB Divisional Manager for Technology, Employment and Awareness, advocates regular eye exams to prevent possible learning difficulties.

"Eighty percent of children’s learning comes through vision so it’s crucial parents, teachers and children know what to look out for when it comes to potential sight problems," says Ms Inglis.

“Although school eye-tests are good, they don’t always pick up everything.  An optometrist’s exam is the best way to be 100% sure of your child’s sight.”

Every day in New Zealand more than 100 people damage their eyes through injuries, and statistics show that 90% of these injuries could have been prevented if safety glasses had been worn.

“Funky Eye Friday helps make wearing glasses cool, whether they be safety goggles to protect your eyes from painful injuries, sunglasses to protect your eyes from damaging UVA and UVB rays, or glasses which help you see and learn properly,” says Ms Inglis. 

Blindness awareness is something the RNZFB is keen to increase as each year nearly 1,200 New Zealanders register as members, after going blind or experiencing serious vision loss.

To learn more about Funky Eye Friday and caring for your eyes go to the RNZFB's website.  

Hot on the heals of Funky Eye Friday is Blind Week (24-30 October). Thousands of volunteers are needed nationwide, call 0800 002 345 to talk to your local RNZFB Fundraiser about how you can help make Blind Week a success.

ENDS

Photo idea: classroom of children wearing their Funky Eye Friday frames looking up at the camera.

For more information please contact:

Lisa Inder, RNZFB Communications Department, ph: 021 343 277

OR

Jane Gower, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator, ph: 09 355 6884 or 021 357 412