Overview:
World Sight Day is organized annually on the second Thursday of October. This world Day aims to raise awareness of eye problems, prevention and treatment, the most important of which are blindness and low vision, which are both preventable.
Objectives:
- Providing higher quality vision services.
- Raising awareness of the importance of vision around the world.
- Focusing on the issues of blindness and low vision, as they can be avoided.
Facts:
- At the 74th World Health Assembly, Member States adopted two new global targets for eye care by 2030, a 40% increase in effective coverage of refractive errors, and a 30% increase in effective coverage of cataract surgery. These targets will play a major role, not only in increasing global eye care coverage in the future, but also in providing high-quality services.
- At least one billion people suffer from near or distant vision impairment, which can be prevented if it is not treated yet.
- Blindness affects all aspects of life, including job opportunities, daily activities, interaction with society and school, and much more.
Official Date:
Globally: October 10, 2025.
Locally: Rabi' Al Thani 18, 1447 AH.
References:
Saudi Ministry of Health Portal - World Sight Day 2023.
Saudi Ministry of Health Portal - World Sight Day 2021.
World Health Organization - World Sight Day 2021.