For millions of children worldwide, vision loss and blindness create barriers for learning, growth and opportunities — that’s why child eye health is a focus this World Sight Day.
For 17-year-old Jennifer from Ghana, blurred vision made it difficult to keep up in class — until a simple pair of eyeglasses changed her life.
“I first noticed that I could not see objects clearly at a distance,” recalls Jennifer, who attends school in the Mfantseman District of Ghana’s Central Region. For three years, she struggled in silence, telling no one about her condition. As her vision worsened, she began relying on classmates to help her read the blackboard.
Relief came when Operation Eyesight hosted an eye health screening at her school. Diagnosed with a serious refractive error, Jennifer received a pair of prescription eyeglasses, free of charge.
Today, Jennifer is thriving and optimistic about her future. “I am happy with these new spectacles!” she says.
Jennifer’s story is far too common. Globally, nearly 450 million children and adolescents face similar vision challenges that could easily be solved with a pair of prescription eyeglasses. Additionally, 40 per cent of children who are blind could have had their eye conditions prevented with access to eye health care, according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
Shining a light on child eye health on World Sight Day
On October 10, the global eye health community will celebrate #WorldSightDay, encouraging everyone to prioritize their eye health. This year’s theme highlights the importance of eye care for children, inspiring young people to ‘love their eyes’.
“Every day, preventable and treatable eye health issues cause children to miss out on learning and social opportunities,” says Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, President and CEO of Operation Eyesight. “They do not just deserve but have the right to a happy childhood. Healthy eyes enable kids to learn, play, and thrive, setting them on a path for life.”
Untreated vision loss can have lifelong consequences, especially for children in low- and middle- income countries, who are five times less likely to attend school if they have a vision impairment, states the IAPB. Providing accessible and quality eye care helps meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Quality Education (SDG 4) and Good Health & Well-being (SDG 3).
School Eye Health Programs: Reaching children where they are and raising awareness of programs on World Sight Day
In 2023, Operation Eyesight screened more than 240,000 students at 1,133 schools across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. By training teachers and healthcare workers to identify vision problems, we ensure youths like Jennifer receive the care they need.
Child eye health is about more than providing eyeglasses; it’s about creating long-term solutions. In places like Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia, trachoma is a leading cause of vision loss. If left untreated, this bacterial infection can lead to irreversible blindness. Along with mass drug administrations (MDAs) to clear infections, our teams also bring communities local access to fresh water and educate people about the importance of washing their hands, faces and clothing to reduce transmission of the infection.
Yashwant Sinha, our Director of International Programmes, says Operation Eyesight’s clean water projects have had a ripple effect in the lives of female students.
“In many communities across sub-Saharan Africa, the task of hauling water falls to women and girls. Local access to fresh water has boosted school attendance, because girls no longer have to spend hours fetching water,” Yashwant says. “In many communities, attendance of girls at school has improved.”
He adds that in Ethiopia, these benefits have been bolstered by Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs both in the community and at schools, as well as menstrual hygiene training, including how to create reusable sanitary pads using local materials.
These efforts also support the UN SDGs related to Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Gender Equality (SDG 5).
A comprehensive approach to eye health
Our work extends beyond schools. Operation Eyesight’s global team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) enables us to be present in the community and reach patients who otherwise would not have access to quality eye health care.
By conducting door-to-door screenings, CHWs help families understand the importance of seeking eye care, ensuring that no man, woman or child goes without eye health screening and referral if needed. Through public health education, we also promote awareness about hygiene and overall health, linking residents with local healthcare resources.
“Healthy eyes are just one part of a person’s overall health and well-being, and we are also focused on addressing other determinants of eye health,” Yashwant explains.
“Our CHWs and other local staff connect new moms with pre- and post-natal care and also connect families with immunization clinics to help give kids the best start.”
Addressing complex conditions early
Some vision issues, like Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), need intervention much earlier. ROP is one of the leading causes of vision loss in children in India, and preterm infants are at high risk of developing this condition which leads to lifelong blindness.
Shabana, from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, India, delivered her son Aarsh when she was only seven months pregnant. Thanks to Operation Eyesight’s partnership with C.L. Gupta Eye Institute (CLGEI) in nearby Moradabad city, Aarsh was screened and treated for ROP, saving him from a life without sight.
“Aarsh’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of our ROP screening program,” says Lokesh Chauhan, Deputy General Manager at CLGEI. “Aarsh’s bright eyes now reflect a world of possibilities.”
Ocular cancers such as retinoblastoma not only cause blindness but can also be fatal. In India, retinoblastoma accounts for about three per cent of all cancers affecting children under five, and it is reported in an article in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology that there are about 1,500 new cases reported each year.
Timely treatment of this cancer can save the lives of more than nine out of 10 children suffering from this disease, including children like Alok, pictured above. In many cases, a child’s vision can also be saved, but early screening and treatment are essential. Thanks to the help of our generous donors, in 2015, Operation Eyesight, in partnership with LVPEI, opened one of the few facilities in the world that specializes in treating ophthalmic tumours in both children and adults.
Tapobrat Bhuyan, our Programme Manager in India, adds that untreated vision loss can also have long-term effects on children’s self-esteem.
“Clear vision and healthy eyes open the door of possibility. For a child, it’s a chance to have a full childhood, which has long-term impacts for their trajectory in life,” Tapobrat explains. “Vision loss and blindness have been proven to prevent social inclusion and can negatively impact mental health.”
Looking ahead: World Sight Day 2024
Vision is crucial for a child’s development — whether in the classroom, playground, or at home. It’s no surprise that 80 per cent of a child’s learning is visual, according to multiple studies. Wherever they live, access to quality eye health care helps give young people the best possible start in life, paving the way for success for years to come.
Access to eye health care isn’t just an issue in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, myopia is on the rise. Commonly known as nearsightedness, myopia makes it difficult to see distant objects clearly. The number of children experiencing myopia is increasing, driven by excessive screen time. In 2020, 60 per cent of children in Asia and 50 per cent in Europe had myopia.
Reducing screen time and scheduling regular eye exams are simple steps we can take to protect our children’s vision. A 2021 study found that extended screen time is associated with a 30 per cent higher risk of myopia, which requires prescription eyeglasses. When combined with excessive computer use, the risk more than doubles, reaching approximately 80 per cent.
In Canada, some provinces offer free eye exams to children and seniors as part of provincial health care. Access to eyeglasses is one of the most effective health interventions for kids.
Download our child eye health resources on our World Sight Day page to learn more and help the children in your life love their eyes.
World Sight Day 2024 is a chance to focus on our kids’ eye health and help children and adolescents everywhere love their eyes.
Help all children love their eyes this World Sight Day
You can also help ensure that no child is left behind due to preventable vision loss. Together, we can create a world where every child has access to quality and affordable eye health care. Make a donation today to help bring sustainable eye health solutions to children living in communities that need them most.
