Optometry Giving Sight launches World Sight Day Challenge

Optometry Giving Sight announced the launch of this year’s World Sight Day Challenge, an annual fundraising campaign that has been supported by optometrists, their staff, patients, students and families for the past 12 years.

The challenge, which focuses on raising funds for and awareness of the 1.22 billion people worldwide who are blind or visually impaired due to poor access to eye exams and eye wear, will help provide eye care to 1 million people in need in 2018.

World Sight Day is Oct. 11, and the challenge, which began Aug. 1, will run through to the end of November, according to a press release from Optometry Giving Sight.

“A child’s ability to play and learn and to contribute at home and school is largely dependent on good vision,” Juan Carlos Aragon, OD, global chair of Optometry Giving Sight, said in the release. “As it is estimated that as much as 80% of what a child learns is processed through the visual system, an eye examination and glasses can mean the difference between a life of poverty and a life of opportunity.”

For further information regarding donation or pledge participation, visit: https://www.givingsight.org/giving/world-sight-day-challenge.html