April 24, 2024 — The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is preparing for World Sight Day 2024, taking place Thursday, Oct. 10. Under IAPB’s “Love Your Eyes” campaign banner, World Sight Day 2024 will focus on the importance of prioritizing child eye health, as 450 million children worldwide have a sight condition that needs treatment, IAPB shares.

IAPB coordinates World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, and the Love Your Eyes campaign, which was launched in 2021 to raise the profile of accessible, available, and affordable eye health for all by 2030.

“We all know that in children, an uncorrected vision impairment can severely impact their education. Research tells us that children with access to [vision correction] can reduce failing rates by 44%,” says IAPB CEO Peter Holland. “It is knowledge like this that has led us to make World Sight Day 2024 one for children around the world.”

IAPB developed a variety of ways to participate in World Sight Day, including the Global Challenge that encourages parents, caregivers, and schools to pledge an eye test on behalf of a young person. The organization also offers access to resources designed to inspire children to take care of their eyes now and 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,” says IAPB president Caroline Casey. “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.”