World Sight Day Challenge Begins

"The World Sight Day Challenge is a major fundraising campaign coordinated by Optometry Giving Sight which is designed to raise funds for projects that provide vision care, local training and infrastructure support for people who are blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses," according to Optometry Giving Sight. "Optometry Giving Sight is calling on all members of the optometric community to join the global movement to eliminate avoidable blindness by taking the 2012 World Sight Day Challenge. There are many ways to get involved. Participating optometrists may donate a day of eye exam fees, or a small amount from each pair of glasses sold throughout the month. They may also hold a staff-led fundraising event, or invite patient donations throughout October. Optometric companies can also get involved, by making a company donation, or holding an event in their workplace. Optometry students from around the world also take part in the Challenge. Watch the short video and follow the prompts to register here." Read more.

Help for World Sight Day in October

"Optometry Giving Sight invites optometrists and the ophthalmic community in the U.S. and Canada to take part in the World Sight Day Challenge to raise funds for people who are needlessly blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected refractive error," according to a post on PCSuperSite. "Optometrists are invited to take the challenge by donating their eye exam fees on World Sight Day (Oct. 13) or any other day in October, or they can join their colleagues across the profession by making a personal or practice donation at www.givingsight.org. Practices are also encouraged to involve their staff and patients by having an office celebration throughout the month." Read more. 


The National Eye Institute's webpage notes that "This year, World Sight Day (WSD) will be hosted by the National Eye Institute (NEI) in partnership with Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lighthouse International, and the International Agency to Prevent Blindness with the goal to educate our communities about the need to conquer preventable blindness and preserve sight."