Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the launch of its 2025 World Sight Day Challenge, a global fundraising initiative that will run Sept.1 to Oct. 31 in support of World Sight Day on Oct. 9. The campaign aims to expand access to eye care and eliminate uncorrected refractive error, which remains one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide.

During the challenge, optometry practices, student groups, and related businesses are encouraged to organize fundraising activities. Options include raffles, bake sales, office contests, fun runs, online fundraisers, or direct donations. Funds raised will contribute to OGS’s annual grant program, which has already distributed more than $8 million to projects that provide vision care to more than 15 million people globally. To date, OGS has helped establish 14 optometry schools, build 130 vision centers, and train more than 14,000 optometry professionals in over 50 countries.

This year introduces two new fundraising competitions sponsored by Greg Pearl, OD: Facebook Thumbs-Up Throwdown and the Highest Contributor Contest. These contests are designed to increase participation among optometry practices and student groups.

“The World Sight Day Challenge is our biggest fundraiser of the year. More than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment and blindness simply because they don’t have access to eye exams and eyeglasses,” says OGS executive director Donna J. Mikulecky. “The programs we fund [not only] provide exams and glasses but also fund the establishment and development of the optometry profession. Our impact continues to grow each year, but so does the need.” According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, the number of people suffering vision loss is projected to increase to 1.7 billion people by 2050. “The problem we are all trying to address is huge in scope,” she adds,” But together, we’re making a difference.”

Those interested in joining the 2025 challenge can register or learn more here.