(PRESS RELEASE) World Sight Day, 10 October 2024, will highlight the critical importance of prioritising child eye health, and give children everywhere the opportunity to love their eyes.
Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) under the Love Your Eyes campaign banner, World Sight Day 2024 is putting children at the centre of the campaign.
“We all know that in children an uncorrected vision impairment can severely impact their education. Research tells us that children with access to, and being prescribed spectacles can reduce failing rates by 44%. It is knowledge like this that has led us to make World Sight Day 2024 one for children around the world,” said Peter Holland, IAPB CEO.
IAPB, Love Your Eyes Global Partners and IAPB Members are calling on parents, caregivers, and schools to pledge an eye test on behalf of a young person. A child’s pledge to #LoveYourEyes will make an impact on the individual, as well as raise awareness of the 450 million children globally who have a sight condition that needs treatment.
IAPB has developed a series of opportunities to get involved in World Sight Day. Schools and organisations are encouraged to participate in the Global Challenge by screening the vision of children; carers and parents on behalf of their children are invited to make a #LoveYourEyes pledge; teachers are asked to access World Sight Day resources that inspire children to take care of their eyes now, and long into the future.
“IAPB has proven that when we work together, we create noise and an enthusiasm that is hard to ignore. Therefore, I am calling on everyone to work to ensure that children around the world have access to clear, healthy vision. We invite you to take ownership of the Love Your Eyes campaign, use our resources to be bold, have fun and create moments that cannot be overlooked,” encouraged Caroline Casey, president of IAPB.
After the World Sight Day 2023 success of Love Your Eyes at Work, IAPB together with the International Labour Organization will continue campaigning on the importance of prioritising eye care in the workplace.
World Sight Day is made possible with support from IAPB’s Love Your Eyes Global Partners; Abbvie, Amgen, Bayer, CBM, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, National Vision, Roche, Safilo, Seva Foundation, and Sightsavers.
