World Sight Day observed with focus on accessible and affordable eye care

The World Sight Day-2026 is being observed in Bangladesh like elsewhere across the globe promoting accessible, available and affordable eye care for everyone.

World Sight Day is an annual global awareness day observed on the second Thursday of October to focus attention on blindness, vision impairment and eye health.

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), nearly everyone on the planet would experience an eye health issue in their lifetime, yet over a billion people still lack access to the services and treatments they need.

Therefore, the World Sight Day is an annual reminder to love one's eyes and an opportunity to join millions of people globally who understand the value of vision, it said.

This year, the day is being observed with the theme 'It's not just sight. It's an entire future' under the campaign 'LoveYourEyes', emphasising how basic eye care changes lives, education and communities. The day also encourages people to get regular eye exams and prioritize children's vision.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 220 crore people worldwide suffer from near or distance vision impairment. Of them, at least 100 crore people have vision impairment that could have been prevented or addressed through necessary treatment.

The organisation said a large proportion of vision impairment can be prevented through timely detection and treatment.

Experts said excessive use of smartphones, tablets and computers among children and adolescents is creating new risks to eye health. Looking at screens for long periods can cause problems such as eye strain, dry eyes, headaches and blurred vision, they added.

The habit of looking at nearby objects for long periods and spending insufficient time outdoors may also increase the risk of myopia among children, the experts said.

Eye problems in children often cannot be detected at an early stage, they said, adding, parents should take the matter seriously if children have difficulty seeing distant writing, squint to see, hold books or notebooks very close while reading, rub their eyes frequently or complain of headaches while studying.

An eye specialist should be consulted if necessary, they suggested.

According to WHO, uncorrected refractive errors are one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide. Many conditions, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and age-related presbyopia, can be managed through appropriate glasses and treatment.

Besides, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are important causes of vision loss. In particular, people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure need to have their eyes examined regularly. Some diseases, such as glaucoma, can cause vision loss without significant symptoms in the early stages.

Experts have advised children not to use screens continuously for long periods, take regular breaks, study in adequate light and spend time outdoors in daylight. At the same time, they stressed the importance of encouraging children to participate in sports and physical activities.

Adequate sleep, nutritious food, control of diabetes and high blood pressure and protection of the eyes from the risk of injury are also important for maintaining eye health, the experts said, adding, people working in hazardous environments are advised to use necessary protective eyewear.

On the occasion of World Sight Day, they said that besides seeking treatment after developing eye problems, people need to develop the habit of having their eyes examined regularly.

Early detection of vision problems in children can help reduce their negative impact on education and normal development, they added.

They said it is not possible to completely stop using technology; however, excessive strain on the eyes can be reduced through conscious and balanced use.

The experts stressed coordinated efforts by individuals, families, educational institutions and healthcare organisations to reduce preventable blindness.