World Sight Day is an annual event that raises awareness about preventable blindness and vision impairment. Celebrated on the second Thursday of October, this day is a part of Blindness Awareness Month and offers a great opportunity to learn about the importance of eye health.

Read about World Sight Day 2023 below and how to get involved. Mark your calendars for October 12 and find out what you can do to make a difference.

The History Of World Sight Day

World Sight Day was created in 2000 as part of a Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) campaign. It has since expanded to include more associations. The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) now organize the event and theme each year.

The purpose of World Sight Day is to draw attention to preventable issues that cause blindness and vision impairment. Organizers also raise awareness about the lack of access to quality eye care in many parts of the world. World Sight Day provides a platform for people to share stories and encourage action.

In 2020, World Sight Day hosted 255 events throughout 47 countries. These events included online seminars and donation drives. The theme was “Hope in Sight” and the hashtag #HopeInSight was used to promote the initiative.

This year, the IAPB invites participants to show what it means to “Love your eyes at work,” or #LoveYourEyes. This campaign urges people to prioritize their eye health and encourages employers to recognize the significance of eye care within workplace environments.

Statistics About Eye Health

To better understand the significance of World Sight Day, let’s take a look at a few statistics related to eye health:

  • Age is a major factor in the prevalence of vision loss. About 65% of all cases are due to age-related conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  • Around 19 million children are visually impaired. Approximately 1.4 million children have eye conditions resulting in lifelong vision loss.
  • The global cost of vision loss is estimated at $411 billion per year. Addressing this issue can lead to a more productive and economically stable world.

Leading Causes Of Avoidable Blindness And Vision Impairment

Ensuring better vision for all individuals starts with understanding what causes vision impairment. Common causes of vision loss include:

  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism

Ways To Promote And Maintain Eye Health

You can take steps to promote and maintain good eye health at home, such as:

  • Get regular eye exams – Early detection can reduce your risk of vision impairment. Adults should have their eyes checked once every year or more often if there are existing conditions.
  • Protect your eyes – Wear sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of the sun’s UVB and UVA rays. Protective eyewear can also prevent an eye injury when playing sports or working with dangerous materials. If you need vision correction, you can also get prescription sunglasses from FramesDirect.
  • Take frequent breaks – Give your eyes a break when spending time on digital devices. Look up from your screen every 20 minutes and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away for around 20 seconds. Wearing glasses with an anti-reflective coating may also help reduce some symptoms of eye fatigue.

Taking Action For Better Vision

World Sight Day invites individuals and their communities to help make the world a better place. Here are some ways to get involved:

  • Advocate for accessible eye care – Many people with vision impairments live in low- and middle-income countries. You can help by supporting policies and programs that promote affordable eye care.
  • Educate yourself and others on eye health – Understanding the common causes of vision loss and teaching others empowers everyone to take their own proactive steps.
  • Donate or volunteer – Consider supporting eye health-focused organizations through donations or volunteering on World Sight Day and throughout the year.

Participate In World Sight Day 2023

World Sight Day is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of preventable blindness and vision impairment. FramesDirect is proud to be a part of Blindness Awareness Month and is committed to helping people find the proper eyewear for their needs.

Join us on October 12, 2023, and show your support. Together, we can make sure everyone has access to the care they need and improve lives around the world