World Sight Day 2021
World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, is a global event meant to draw attention on blindness and vision impairment. WSD is co-ordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). WSD became an official IAPB event in the year 2000. This year, World Sight Day will take place on October 14, 2021 with the theme: Love Your Eyes. According to the World Healt Organization, globally, at least 1 billion people have near or distance vision impairment that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed. Vision impairment affects people of all ages, with the majority being over the age of 50. Vision impairment and blindness can have major and long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities and the ability to access public services.
This WSD we want organisations and the public to come together to encourage governments, corporations, institutions and individuals to actively support universal access to eye health and ensure that everyone counts.
Emphasizing the message #LoveYourEyes to ensure that everyone counts.
Who supports this global event?
IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 150 organisations in over 100 countries, apex professional bodies for ophthalmology and optometry, teaching hospitals and corporations, united in working together for a world where everyone has universal access to eye care.
What can I do?
You can support from your home, by spreading awareness through social media, making a donation on the IAPB web page or joining the challenges and activities that are planned and executed on WSD. Don´t forget to promote the day by raising public awareness of blindness and vision impairment as major international public health issues.
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