The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has conducted an annual photo competition in conjunction with World Sight day since 2015.
The contest in intended to showcase the power and impact of eye health when it is accessible to all. The negative effects of improper eye health are experienced by individuals, communities, and economies throughout the world. This contest highlights the joy and underscores the possibilities that come with proper eye health.
When asked to consider the importance of imagery that displays and celebrates the impact of eye care, one of this year’s contest judges, Imraan Gallo said, ‘It is awareness on a global scale. You also get to experience a little bit of the world we rarely see.”
The World Sight Day 2023 Photo Competition featured hundreds of entries from around the world. A panel of judges first whittled down the entries to eight finalists. The panel then selected one professional and one amateur winner.
Santanu Bose took this year’s winning Professional Photo of the Year for “The Artist.” Marisa Martins Armada won the Amateur Photo of the Year for “The Smile of Happiness.”
More about “The Artist”: Veteran artist Reba Pal is captured practicing Chalchitra, an ancient hand-painting artform which is part of Bengal Pattachitra.
More about “The Smile of Happiness”: Cidalia works at a marketplace in Andorra and was delighted to pose for a photo. She had a good day selling spices.
“The success of this year’s photo competition mirrors the enthusiasm we witnessed for World Sight Day – the global celebrations around the Love Your Eyes campaign were truly awe-inspiring,” says Simon Darvill, Director of Communications, Campaigns and Events for IAPB. “The photo competition, a yearly highlight, is an extension of that spirit. Which is evident in the quality of submissions.”
The judging panel included:
- Caroline Casey, IAPB President,
- Anibal Bueno, Scientist and Professional Photographer
- Prof Ian Pearce, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon
- Marge Axelrad, Senior Vice President & Editorial Director, Vision Monday and VMail
- Imraan Gallo, Visually Impaired Photographer & Advocate for Artists with Disabilities
- Kwame Yeboah Jnr, Optometrist & World Sight Day 2022 Photo Competition Winner
Learn more about the issue, World Sight Day, the images, and the 2023 Judges Panel by visiting iapb.org
The IAPB World Sight Day Photo Competition is made possible with support from Bayer. The competition is part of the #LoveYourEyes, World Sight Day campaign.