This year’s World Sight Day is an important reminder to keep your eyes healthy. Organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), this global public health event is held annually on the second Thursday of October. It raises awareness of the issues surrounding sight loss, visual impairment and preventable blindness.
The IAPB’s #LoveYourEyes campaign teaches people to value and take care of their vision. The last four years of World Sight Day has seen over 25 million people worldwide pledge to put their eye health first by having an eye exam, highlighting the importance of early detection in preventing serious eye diseases.
How can I get involved with World Sight Day?
The World Sight Day 2025 theme is ‘Love Your Eyes’, with a particular focus on ‘people at the heart of eye health’ which highlights the significance of healthy vision, community wellbeing and global access to eye care services.
You can get involved by making a pledge to prioritise your wellbeing and eye health with regular eye tests and eye screenings, which will help to identify issues such as refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts at an early stage. For many, timely interventions, such as glasses or even cataract surgery, can prevent lifelong vision impairment or avoidable blindness.
Sharing information on social media is another great way to spread the word and support fundraising initiatives that improve access to health care for communities in need.
How can I safeguard my own sight?
The IAPB created the 4Ps as guidance and inspiration to help people reduce the risk of vision loss and safeguard their eye health.
So, what exactly are the 4Ps and what do they teach us? The 4Ps are — Prevent eye conditions, Protect your eyes, Preserve good vision and Prioritise your eye health. We will be exploring this in more detail. Keep reading to discover more.
PREVENT
Enjoy a healthy lifestyle
Eating nutritious food and staying active can help prevent eye diseases and wider health issues like high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, which can impact the function of your eyes.
Enjoying a balanced diet helps provide the essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain healthy eyes. Leafy green vegetables are packed with important nutrients, while citrus fruits offer a strong source of vitamin C. Including fish and vegetable oils in your meals adds beneficial omegas and fatty acids. Additionally, foods like beans, legumes, and other vegetables supply minerals such as zinc and lutein, which can further support your eye health.
Alongside enjoying nutritious meals, it’s equally important to make regular exercise part of your routine. Whether it’s walking outdoors, going for a jog, or practicing yoga, staying active can help manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels. Each of these conditions can affect your eye health and contribute to long-term diseases. Maintaining your fitness is therefore essential in protecting your overall wellbeing and preventing serious, life-changing complications.
PROTECT
Block UV rays and blue light
Wear UV-protected eyewear year-round to lower your risk of conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Prescription sunglasses will keep your eyes safe and comfortable in the sun, from spring through to winter. Don’t forget to protect your eyes from digital strain with blue-light lenses, which is particularly important for individuals who spend long hours in front of screens.
PRESERVE
Book regular eye tests
Make it an important part of your lifestyle to “love your eyes” and educate your friends and family about the importance of having their eyes checked.
Regular eye tests are essential for detecting problems early and ensuring your prescription is correct. Regular testing helps identify conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, where early detection can be sight-saving.
To discover why and how frequently you should take an eye test, watch the video below to learn more from our qualified optician.
PRIORITISE
Check your prescription is correct
Make sure your prescription is up to date. If your last eye test occurred more than two years ago, you’ll need to book a new one before purchasing glasses online. We recommend putting a reminder in your calendar or in your phone; that way you won’t forget.
Don’t worry if you don’t currently have an up-to-date prescription, with Glasses Direct you can always opt to send it later via photo, email, phone, or post.
Browse our informative guide for more information and learn how to read your prescription.
Why you should choose Glasses Direct
At Glasses Direct, we understand how crucial vision care is to people’s quality of life. That’s why we support initiatives like Vision For Life™’s Buy One, Give One, which helps extend access to glasses and interventions in communities most at risk of sight loss.
We’re proud to play a small part in tackling global public health challenges around vision impairment and preventable blindness. Whether you’re supporting a fundraising event, advocating for child eye health, or simply booking your next eye exam, your actions can make a huge difference this World Sight Day.
