- Home
- Contact Us
- Column
- About Us
- MedBound Hub
- BiographyBiography
- InternshipInternship
- Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- InterviewInterview
- Pharmacy
- Biotechnology
- College/InstituteCollege/Institute
- Dentistry
- Blog
- Wellness & Nutrition
- Nursing
- Opinion
Each year, on the second Thursday of October, the world unites to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and the prevention of avoidable blindness. In 2025, World Sight Day falls on 9 October, and the global campaign is anchored in the theme “Love Your Eyes.” This year, the movement continues to grow under the broader #LoveYourEyes initiative, with a strong emphasis on workplace eye health through the “Love Your Eyes at Work” focus area.
This observance encourages individuals, employers, and policymakers to foster healthier visual habits in offices, schools, factories, hospitals — anywhere people spend their working hours. Let’s explore the origins, purpose, and practical takeaways — including guidance from Dr. Vidita Kaushik, Ophthalmologist and Surgical Fellow.
World Sight Day was first introduced in 2000, launched by the SightFirst Campaign of Lions Club International Foundation.
Over time, the campaign became embedded within the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight initiative and is now coordinated annually by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous partner organizations.
It is observed every second Thursday of October, focusing attention on making eye care accessible, affordable, and equitable across the globe.
Visual impairment and blindness impose tremendous personal, societal, and economic burdens. Many eye diseases advance silently; by the time symptoms appear, irreversible damage may already exist. World Sight Day serves as a global catalyst to:
Raise public and political awareness
Promote preventative eye care (screening, early detection, treatment)
Mobilize resources, policies, and programs to close the gaps in eye care access
Encourage inclusive eye health initiatives, especially for underserved populations
The 2025 campaign is centered on “Love Your Eyes,” urging people everywhere to make eye care a global priority. Under this theme, “Love Your Eyes at Work” remains a vital part of the movement, emphasizing how our working environments profoundly impact visual well-being.
The IAPB’s 2025 campaign resources highlight that eye health at work is integral to overall productivity and safety. Whether in offices, classrooms, hospitals, or construction sites, every profession requires clear and healthy vision to perform effectively.
The message is simple yet powerful: protect, respect, and prioritize your vision — especially during the hours spent at work. This includes creating vision-friendly workspaces, preventing eye strain and injuries, ensuring adequate lighting and ergonomics, and promoting routine eye screenings as part of workplace wellness.
The IAPB underscores that billions of dollars in productivity are lost each year due to uncorrected or preventable vision problems, making eye health not only a medical issue but also an economic and workforce concern.
Below is an exclusive MedBound Times conversation with Dr. Vidita Kaushik, Ophthalmologist, MS Ophthalmology, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, currently a Surgical Fellow at Venu Eye Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi, who shares practical insights on maintaining eye health at work and beyond.
Many people skip eye exams because they “see fine.” Why is this assumption dangerous?
Dr. Vidita Kaushik: This is a very common misconception. Good vision does not necessarily mean healthy eyes. Several potentially sight-threatening conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and early macular degeneration, often develop silently without causing noticeable changes in vision during their initial stages. By the time symptoms appear, irreversible damage may already have occurred. Regular comprehensive eye examinations allow for early detection and timely management of these conditions, preserving vision in the long term.
What are your recommendations for how often people should have comprehensive eye exams by age group?
Dr. Vidita Kaushik: Eye health needs change with age and risk factors.
A general guideline is:
• Children: A baseline eye check at birth, again at around 3–5 years, and before starting school. Thereafter, routine screening every 1–2 years.
• Adults (19–39 years): Every 2 years if asymptomatic and not at risk; more frequently if using digital screens extensively or having refractive errors.
• Adults (40–64 years): A comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years, as this is the age group where diseases like glaucoma or presbyopia often emerge.
• 65 years and above: Annually, as age-related eye conditions become more common.
Individuals with diabetes, high myopia, a family history of glaucoma, or other risk factors should have more frequent evaluations as advised by their ophthalmologist.
What practical steps can office workers and students take to protect their eyes daily?
Dr. Vidita Kaushik: With increased screen exposure, adopting healthy visual habits is crucial.
Some simple but effective measures include:
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to relax eye muscles and reduce strain.
• Blink consciously: Screen use reduces the blink rate, leading to dryness. Remind yourself to blink often or use lubricating drops if needed.
• Ensure proper ergonomics: Keep the screen at arm’s length and slightly below eye level to reduce glare and discomfort.
• Optimize lighting: Avoid harsh overhead lighting and reduce glare from windows or reflections on screens.
• Take regular breaks: Short breaks to stretch and rest not only help the eyes but also improve overall productivity.
• Wear appropriate prescription glasses: Using the correct power, including blue-light filtering lenses when appropriate, ensures visual comfort.
This World Sight Day, what does “Love Your Eyes at Work” mean to you as an ophthalmologist?
Dr. Vidita Kaushik: For me, “Love Your Eyes at Work” is a reminder that our vision is central to almost everything we do professionally or personally. Whether in an office, on a construction site, or in a classroom, healthy eyes enable focus, productivity, and quality of life. Loving your eyes means respecting their needs—taking preventive measures, prioritizing regular eye checkups, using protective eyewear when required, and not ignoring subtle discomforts. As ophthalmologists, we aim to empower individuals to integrate eye care into their daily routines so that good vision becomes a lifelong asset rather than something people only think about when problems arise.
In modern times, many professionals and students spend hours in front of screens or under artificial lighting. Cumulative exposure, improper ergonomics, and lack of rest can contribute to digital eye strain, dry eye disease, or exacerbate underlying conditions.
By adopting workplace-friendly eye health policies — e.g. mandated breaks, eye screening camps, proper lighting, and protective eyewear in industrial settings — employers can not only support employee well-being but likely reduce productivity losses and long-term vision care costs.
The campaign’s push for accessible, available, affordable eye care at work reinforces that eye health is not merely a medical issue but a workforce and public health priority.
World Sight Day is more than a singular date — it is a global movement urging collective action on eye health. The 2025 theme “Love Your Eyes” shines a spotlight on how daily work habits, environments, and policies play a vital role in preserving vision.
As Dr. Vidita Kaushik underscores, seeing well does not always equal a healthy eye. Through proactive screening, smart daily habits, and workplace initiatives, we can safeguard vision for ourselves and future generations.
Let this World Sight Day be a turning point: schedule that overdue exam, advocate for eye health at work, and inspire others to #LoveYourEyes every day.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). “World Sight Day 2025.” IAPB World, 2025. https://www.iapb.world/world-sight-day.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). “Love Your Eyes at Work.” IAPB World, 2025. https://www.iapb.world/love_your_eyes_at_work.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). “World Sight Day to Put People at Its Heart.” IAPB News, 2025. https://www.iapb.org/news/world-sight-day-to-put-people-at-its-heart.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). “History of IAPB.” IAPB, 2025. https://www.iapb.org/about/history.
Lions Clubs International Foundation. “SightFirst: Preventing Avoidable Blindness.” Lions Clubs International Foundation, accessed October 2025. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-foundation/our-global-causes/vision/sightfirst.
World Health Organization (WHO). “Universal Eye Health: A Global Action Plan 2014–2019.” World Health Organization, Geneva. https://www.who.int/blindness/actionplan/en/.
