Each year, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) asks eye health organizations around the globe to support them in dedicating the second Thursday of October to World Sight Day. This international campaign centers around bringing the world’s attention to the importance of eye care. According to SEVA, 1.1 billion people live with unaddressed vision impairment. Yet, 90% of all vision loss is preventable or treatable.
Since 2014, 20/20 Onsite has been driven by the goal of not only offering patients unrivaled convenience but also giving them high-quality vision care. As we continue to drive our mission forward, we have expanded our services to support clinical research, where our Mobile Vision Clinics travel throughout the country bringing trials directly to patients to ensure they receive potentially life-saving treatments or to monitor the safety of investigational drugs on their vision.
We realize there is a better way to deliver healthcare services, and no one should have to compromise their vision because of inconvenience and lack of time. Our mission remains strong: we will continue to go the extra mile to make high-quality vision care more accessible, creating happier and healthier communities.
20/20 Onsite encourages everyone to join us in spreading awareness of World Sight Day this Thursday, October 13th. How can you get involved? Here are 6 ways you can participate in World Sight Day at home and within your community.
1. Sign the World Sight Day pledge to Love Your Eyes by getting an eye exam.
When was your last eye exam? The best way to participate in World Sight Day is by scheduling an eye exam. Prioritizing eye health is of critical importance because it affects your sight as well as your future. Eye health can impact your education, economic status, and other health outcomes, and having regular eye exams can improve your quality of life. To encourage awareness and drive demand for eye exams, the IPBA is aiming to get over 5 million eye exam pledges globally by World Sight Day, October 13th. Put your vision care first by taking the pledge and scheduling an eye exam with your doctor today! If you’re located in the Greater Boston Area, schedule your assessment with us!
The IAPB Love Your Eyes Campaign Logo
For more tips to prioritize your eye health, don’t miss these 10 tips to help you love your eyes from IAPB.
2. Spread the word on social media.
IAPB would like everyone to share their voice on World Sight Day. After pledging to love your eyes, tell your social media friends and family that you are putting your eye health first. Encourage them to schedule an eye exam as well. We can also help IAPB reach its goal of 5 million pledges by sharing the pledge on social media. Don’t forget to include the IAPB hashtags, #WorldSightDay and #LoveYourEyes.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness also invites you to help spread awareness about finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases with their new campaign, #ShareYourVision. If you’re impacted by retinal disease, we invite you to share your vision-loss journey with all of us by using the Foundation’s hashtag, #ShareYourVision.
3. Motivate others!
The eye health of your family and friends is equally as important. Giving Sight reports that 80% of what a child learns is vision-based, so schedule an eye exam for your children. Encourage your friends, partner, parents, grandparents, and co-workers to get their eyes examined as well. Let’s get everyone involved in World Sight Day.
Are you an employer? On World Sight Day, give your employees and their families the gift of eye care by adding or updating your vision care benefits. We’re one of the 10 creative perks companies are using to show employees they are valued. 98% of employees think better about their employer for bringing 20/20 Onsite to their office. 20/20 Onsite is also in-network with most insurance plans and employees can even buy glasses or contacts right on board our Mobile Vision Clinics.
4. Submit an entry to the IAPB's photo competition.
Are you a photographer looking to showcase your skills for a good cause? The IAPB World Sight Day Photo Competition is an opportunity for amateur and professional photographers to share their work with the world. Show the world what you see through your camera lens and submit your photo entry today.
5. Join Giving Sight’s World Sight Day Challenge.
According to Giving Sight, more than one billion people worldwide cannot see simply because they do not have access to eye care. Through the months of September and October, Optometry Giving Sight holds its annual fall fundraising campaign, the World Sight Day Challenge. Everyone is invited to join the challenge by donating, registering to pledge, or ordering a Challenge t-shirt. Your support will make a difference for people, families, and communities across the globe. Donate to the World Sight Day Challenge here to make an immediate impact.
6. Learn your facts.
Another way to celebrate World Sight Day is by taking the time to educate yourself on the state of vision care around the world. The IAPB offers free educational resources including a World Report on Vision Care available for you to download.
Infographic from World Report on Vision Care IAPB Summary
In the report, you will find information on the following:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the need for vision care
- Read detailed insights into what populations are most vulnerable
- Learn what tactics, domestically and abroad, could help solve problems for people in need
We hope everyone will join us in celebrating World Sight Day 2022, this Thursday, October 13th.
Remember to schedule your eye exam! Our Mobile Vision Clinics visit neighborhoods and offices throughout the Greater Boston area and beyond. Schedule an appointment now or contact us today to bring eye exams directly to your employees.
