To support its mission to eradicate uncorrected refractive error through the growth and expansion of optometry around the world, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has issued its 2025 World Sight Day Challenge. Held in conjunction with World Sight Day, the Challenge will take place from September 1 through October 31. World Sight Day is celebrated on October 9.
During the Challenge, optometry practices, optometry student groups, and optometry-related businesses raise funds for OGS to support the organisation’s annual grant programme. Since its inception, OGS has awarded more than $8 million in grants for programmes that have provided vision care for more than 15 million people worldwide.
Challenge participants can choose to sponsor fundraising activities at their offices, schools, and companies and may include activities such as raffles, bake sales, fun runs, office contests, and other activities that can involve patients, colleagues, and the community. Other options include hosting an online fundraiser or simply making a donation.
This year, optometry practices and optometry student groups can compete to win our new Facebook Thumbs-Up Throwdown or highest contributor contest, both sponsored by Dr. Greg Pearl.
Global Impact: Building Sustainable Eye Care Infrastructure Worldwide
“The World Sight Day Challenge is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says OGS Executive Director Donna J. Mikulecky. “This time of the year, in particular, we see the entire optometry community come together to support the dire need for access to eyecare where it is most needed.
“More than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment and blindness simply because they don’t have access to eye exams and eyeglasses,” she adds. “The programmes we fund provide exams and glasses, but also fund the establishment and development of the optometry profession, so that eye care is available today and well into the future.”
To date, OGS has helped establish 14 optometry schools, built 130 vision centres, trained more than 14,000 optometry professionals. In all, OGS’s work has impacted more than 15 million people in over 50 countries.
“Our impact continues to grow each year,” Mikulecky says, “But, so does the need. The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness projects that the number of people suffering vision loss will increase to 1.7 billion people by 2050 unless we invest significantly in vision care.
“We’re fortunate that so many others in the optometry profession want to participate in creating lasting change,” she adds. “And, we are very grateful for their support. The problem we are all trying to address is huge in scope. But, together, we’re making a difference.”
Those interested in participating in the 2025 World Sight Day Challenge can register or learn more at https://www.givingsight.org/wsdc.
