Happy World Sight Day
On the second Thursday of October, people all around the world celebrate World Sight Day. This global event draws attention to blindness, visual impairments, and the prevention methods of both. It’s praised as the “most important advocacy and communications event on the eye health calendar.”
History
World Sight Day was initially created in 2000 as part of the SightFirst Campaign launched by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). It was then incorporated into VISION 2020, a global initiative, which has been expanded and “built upon by a series of additional plans.” The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organizes World Sight Day events every year. IAPB takes on the responsibility of deciding on each year’s theme and creating informational materials. From there, members and organizations plan their own events.
In 2020, there were 255 World Sight Day events throughout 47 countries. These events ranged from online-only events, including seminars and donation drives.
Purpose
World Sight Day focuses on a few goals every year. Firstly, IAPB wants to raise public awareness. Educating the public about blindness and visual impairments as an international health issue is crucial to this cause. Secondly, they want governments around the world to implement blindness prevention programs through World Sight Day participation and allocated funds. Lastly, they want their target audience to learn about blindness prevention, spread the word about VISION 2020’s goal, and gather support for related activities.
All these efforts equate to meeting their goal of eliminating preventable blindness around the world.
Stats & Prevention
There are a few prevalent causes of preventable blindness. Some of these include:
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other uncorrected refractive errors
- Unoperated cataracts
- Untreated glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
Did you know that approximately…
- 90% of people with visual impairments are in developing countries
- 65% of people with visual impairments are over the age of 50
- 19 million children have a significant visual impairment; many of which are preventable
- 1.4 million children have lifelong vision loss
There are steps you can take to preserve your sight and avoid preventable blindness. Some of these steps include:
- Regular eye exams – Early detection is a great way to prevent future vision loss
- Learn about your family’s vision history – Some preventable vision issues are genetic
- Quit smoking and drink less alcohol – These can lead to an increased chance of getting cataracts and other vision issues
- Wear eye protection – Preventing eye injury is a sizable step in preventing vision loss
This Year’s Theme
World Sight Day 2025 falls on October 9th. This year, you’re called to #LoveYourEyes.
This focus isn’t just about you taking care of your eyes, though that is important too. It’s also about bringing eye care awareness and equity to decision makers.
Looking for a way to participate? You’re in luck!
From October 9, 2025, through October 11, 2026, you can sign a pledge asking for global leaders’ support in this effort. Throughout the world, leaders have promised to support eye health so everyone has access. This pledge asks them to follow through on that promise.
Want to do more? You can share your personal story about your eye health journey. Doing this adds your unique perspective to the #LoveYourEyes movement.
Not sure how to share your story? Check out others’ for inspiration.
As always, you can spread the word on social media. Help get the message out about the importance of available, accessible, and affordable eye care.
