World Sight Day
Join Sightsavers on 13 October to celebrate the importance of sight and raise awareness of visual impairment.
You can change someone’s life on World Sight Day
DONATEWorld Sight Day is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of good eye care around the globe.
We know that 2.2. billion people – a quarter of the world’s population – have a visual impairment. And nearly half of this visual impairment could have been prevented, or could still be avoided.
Without urgent and sustainable efforts, the number of people who are blind could reach 115 million by 2050. But this isn’t inevitable. On average, across all of Sightsavers’ programmes, it costs just $3 to $5 for a pair of prescription glasses.
Eye health is about more than just sight – it’s about a vision of the future. Good eye health has a ripple effect, improving education, economic and health outcomes. If the world’s eye care needs were met, the impact would be astounding.
Join us for World Sight Day on 13 October to take action, help raise awareness and support Sightsavers’ work to combat avoidable blindness.
Eye Health Equals
On World Sight Day, Sightsavers launches its Eye Health Equals campaign to show the impact of eye health and ensure the world’s eye care needs are met.
About the campaignRead our inspirational letters from Malawi
Hear first-hand how people’s lives have been transformed now that blinding trachoma has been eliminated in the country.
Read the storyJoin the Eye Health Equals campaign
Our social media toolkitHow 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
It started with a tuk-tuk: Shamima’s story
Shamima, who has hearing and speech impairments, was able to access vital treatment 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.”
“Now I know what a gift sight is”
Arif’s life changed when he had two cataract operations at five years old. We've been following his journey since then, from completing his education to finding work as a driver.
Change lives on World Sight Day
