As the world marks World Sight Day today (10 October), the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) celebrates the global attention brought to the importance of prioritising children’s eye health as part of this year’s Love Your Eyes campaign.
The IAPB, which leads World Sight Day, has recorded more than one million pledges from individuals and organisations prioritising the eye health of children and young people worldwide. The pledges are leading to greater public awareness of the importance of eyecare for children.
IAPB global ambassador Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh read a CBeebies Bedtime Story in honour of World Sight Day. This special episode is helping raise awareness about the vital role eye health plays in every child’s development. It also aims to break down the stigma around wearing spectcales while reminding parents and caregivers to schedule regular eye examinations.
In the programme trailer, Her Royal Highness said: “Millions of us need glasses to see the world clearly. World Sight Day is a reminder to all of us to take care of our eyes, whether we need glasses or not. Our eyes are precious, and our sight is something to cherish and look after. So, let’s remember to take care of our eyes this World Sight Day.”
The focus on children’s eye health is supported by the release of new research from IAPB in collaboration with the Seva Foundation. The research shows that a child with poor eyesight learns approximately half as much as a child with good or corrected vision. The research also made crucial links between education, eye health, and earning potential, stating that early intervention to correct a child’s vision in school can boost their lifetime earnings by up to 78 per cent.
At the United Nations HQ screening, ambassador Aubrey Webson, founder and co-chair of the UN Friends of Vision Group and permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, said: “The UN Friends of Vision group, supported by our friends in the sight sector, are pleased to host these two screenings at the UN Head Quarters and UNICEF House to raise awareness of the global issue of poor vision, especially among children around the world who need access to affordable eye health.”
“We know definitively that on every school day, 17.8 million children around the world go to class with uncorrected vision. Children with refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, are unable to see blackboards and books, learning much less than their peers,” said Peter Holland, CEO of the IAPB.
Also, to mark World Sight Day, hundreds of children are entering the Glasses of the Future competition, embracing creativity and innovation while considering the important role spectacles can play in their lives. Children aged 12 and under can enter the competition by visiting www.iapb.org/world-sight-day before 20 October.
Peter emphasised: “World Sight Day continues to be tremendously successful at shining a global spotlight on the critical importance of eye health, and this year, especially for children. With over one million pledges dedicated to improving children’s sight, a television programme and hundreds of other campaign activations, we are seeing a growing awareness that proper eye care is key to every child’s development and future success. On behalf of IAPB, I thank our members, the Love Your Eyes Global Partners, and the millions of people who support IAPB’s campaigns.”
For more information on IAPB campaigns, visit www.iapb.world