World Sight Day is an important moment each year to shine a light on the power of comprehensive eye care. This year, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)’s #LoveYourEyes campaign continues to remind everyone, everywhere, to prioritize their own eye health, while calling for accessible, available, and affordable eye care for all. Nearly everyone will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime, yet more than a billion people still lack access to the care they need. This is a challenge we can solve together.
As primary eye care providers, optometrists have a critical role in ensuring that eye care goes beyond simply correcting refractive error. Comprehensive eye exams detect serious conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and other diseases that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Optometry must be fully integrated into people-centred eye care systems that strengthen referral pathways, leverage team-based delivery, and align with global efforts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations to ensure universal access to eye care.
To achieve this, our profession must work smarter and more collaboratively, partnering with other health professionals, embracing new technologies, and advocating for strong education, training, and quality standards. Optometry is uniquely positioned to expand its role in primary care, improve early detection, reduce unnecessary referrals, and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through equitable and cost-effective care.
As I begin my term as WCO President, I believe it is vital that the voice of optometry is not only heard but acted upon. We must lead with collaboration, within countries, across regions, and with partners such as WHO and IAPB, to ensure the full potential of optometry is recognized as a driver of sustainable, equitable eye health.
This year, IAPB is turning personal pledges to #LoveYourEyes into global action through a year-long petition calling on decision-makers to invest in eye health systems and services. I encourage all WCO Members to add your names to this pledge and help hold leaders accountable.
Together, we are making the case for eye care that is accessible, affordable, and available for everyone, everywhere. Thank you for all you do to advance eye health and strengthen our profession.
Happy World Sight Day!
Get the latest Optical News delivered to you. Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazine and weekly newsletter