World Sight Day
Each year on 12 October, Sightsavers celebrates the importance of sight. In 2023 we took action on social media by encouraging people to get involved in our #EyeCreation.
You can change someone’s life on World Sight Day
DONATEWorld Sight Day is an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of eye care worldwide.
Globally, 1.1 billion people have an untreated or preventable visual impairment. That’s an eighth of the world’s population – almost as many people as there are in Europe and the USA combined.
We believe everyone, including women, girls, and people with disabilities, should have access to the services they need. When we tackle avoidable blindness, children can learn and adults can earn, helping nations to thrive and reducing poverty and inequality.
That’s why, to mark World Sight Day 2023 on Thursday 12 October, we took to social media to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive eye health. Our #EyeCreation spread the word by encouraging our partners and supporters to use their imagination, creating eye-catching images to share far and wide.
#EyeCreation: how people got involved
1. To help us mark World Sight Day 2023, supporters created an eye shape out of whatever materials they had to hand. The more unusual the better!
2. We encouraged creativity and imagination: we shared our gallery below for inspiration. We then asked for photos of the creation.
3. Supporters shared their photos on social media using the hashtag #EyeCreation, saying why eye health is important, and tagging @Sightsavers.
How we protect sight around the world
We train eye surgeons
Our work relies on thousands of skilled staff. Since 1950, we’ve trained more than 3,800 ophthalmic nurses and 1,000 cataract surgeons.
A guide to eye health roles
We distribute medication
Local volunteers are trained to check people’s symptoms, distribute preventative medication and refer patients for further treatment.
How we reach remote communities
We improve health care
Sightsavers works with national governments and partners to improve local health services, ensuring everyone can get health care when they need it.
About health systems strengthening
Our success stories
Treating cataracts in Zambia: “Their future is going to be bright”
Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of blindness. On World Sight Day, learn what Sightsavers is doing to protect the sight of children with cataracts in Zambia.
It started with a tuk-tuk: how Shamima’s sight was saved
Shamima, who has hearing and speech impairments, was able to access vital treatment for cataracts after her sister heard about Sightsavers’ free eye camps.
A day in the life: the only ophthalmologist in Karamoja
“My name is Dr Gladys Atto. I wanted to be a doctor since I was a child, and I am very proud to be an ophthalmologist and have an impact on people’s lives.”
Change lives on World Sight Day
