General News
Stories surrounding World Sight Day held on 8th October
Stories surrounding World Sight Day held on 8th October
Key Messages
• Governments worldwide urged to priorotise eye health and unlock funding so everyone can access the care they need
• Closely followed by the Global Summit for Eye Health, this year’s World Sight Day is a unique moment to build momentum for change
World Sight Day was on 8th October – the annual moment when the global eye health community unites behind the movement to #LoveYourEyes.
World Sight Day serves as an important reminder for everyone, everywhere to prioritise their own eye health.
It is also an appropriate moment for the sector to amplify calls on governments around the world to unlock funding and prioritise eye care so everyone can access the care they need.
There’s still time to get involved after the event:
• Share stories: Add your voice to Every Story Counts and help us showcase the people and experiences behind eye health.
• Share your screening numbers: Hosting screenings ahead of or on World Sight Day? Share your pledge numbers and help us reach our global goal of 5 million Love Your Eyes pledges.
• Share your plans: Send us your World Sight Day plans, photos or other content ahead of the day so we can help amplify your work across IAPB’s channels.
Over the last five years, the campaign has secured over 25 million pledges to Love Your Eyes, generated over 1 billion media impressions and continues to be an important milestone in the lead up to the first ever Global Summit for Eye Health, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda on 2 November 2026.
Organised by the IAPB in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization, the Summit will bring together heads of government, ministers, international organisations, advocates and private-sector leaders. Together, they are expected to announce significant evidence-based action toward ending avoidable sight loss for over 1 billion people worldwide.
Simon Darvill, IAPB Director of Communications, Campaigns and Events,said “With World Sight Day closely followed by the Global Summit for Eye Health, this is a unique moment to build momentum for change. Join us for the eye care sector’s biggest day of collective action and help drive eye health up the global agenda.”
World Sight Day is led by IAPB, championed by more than 250 member organisations, and supported by Love Your Eyes Global Partners, including Abbvie, Bayer, The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, CBM, CooperVision, Cure Blindness Project, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Hoya Vision Care, Johnson & Johnson Vision, National Vision, Orbis International, RestoringVision, Roche, Safilo, Santen, Seva Foundation, Sightsavers and VisionSpring.
ED Point
It seems to be a similar malaise with all pressure groups in eyecare that those of us who can send the message to 7000 readers receive information either on the day it starts or the day after! Iff we are to make a difference and make every penny count we need a 4 week build up to each charity event juts like one sees with the congresses that we are media partners to over the last decade.
About IAPB
IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 250 member organisations in over 100 countries working together for a world where everyone has universal access to eye care. IAPB believes in a world in which no one is needlessly visually impaired, where everyone has access to the best possible standard of eye health; and where those with irreparable sight loss achieve their full potential. Our key priorities are global advocacy, campaigning on a different level, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the network. www.iapb.org
