World Sight Day 2024

World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October. In 2024, this important day falls on 10th October 2024, providing a global platform for individuals, eye care professionals, and organizations to participate in activities that raise awareness about vision-related issues.

World Sight Day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to raise awareness about vision impairment and blindness. It first took place in 1998 and has since become a global initiative supported by various organizations, governments, and eye care professionals worldwide.

We would like to join them in raising awareness. According to the World Health Organisation:

• Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.
• The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts.
• It is estimated that globally only 36% of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error and only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received access to an appropriate intervention.
• Vision impairment poses an enormous global financial burden, with the annual global cost of productivity estimated to be US$ 411 billion.
• Vision loss can affect people of all ages; however, most people with vision impairment and blindness are over the age of 50 years.

If you or anyone you know has been affected, please know that you are not alone. There are charities available to help you. JCP’s Charity of the Year is Guide Dogs, a charity who support those affected by sight loss.