Dhaka:The World Sight Day 2026 is being observed across Bangladesh, as well as globally, with a focus on promoting accessible and affordable eye care for all. This annual event, held on the second Thursday of October, aims to draw attention to issues of blindness, vision impairment, and eye health.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) highlights that most people will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime, yet over a billion people still lack access to necessary eye care services and treatments. World Sight Day serves as a reminder to prioritize vision health and encourages global participation in acknowledging the importance of vision.
This year’s theme, 'It's not just sight. It's an entire future,' under the 'LoveYourEyes' campaign, underscores the transformative impact of basic eye care on individuals' lives, education, and communities. The day promotes regular eye exams and prioritizes children's vision care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide are affected by vision impairment, with at least 1 billion cases preventable or treatable with the right interventions. Many vision problems can be addressed through timely detection and treatment, according to their findings.
Experts warn that excessive use of digital devices among children and adolescents poses new risks to eye health, leading to issues such as eye strain and myopia. They advise parents to be vigilant about signs of vision problems in children and to consult eye specialists if necessary.
The WHO also identifies uncorrected refractive errors as a major cause of vision impairment, which can often be managed with appropriate corrective measures. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are significant causes of vision loss, highlighting the importance of regular eye examinations, especially for individuals with diabetes and high blood pressure.
Experts recommend limiting screen time, ensuring proper lighting while studying, and encouraging outdoor activities and sports to maintain eye health. They also emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and protective measures in hazardous work environments.
On World Sight Day, experts advocate for regular eye check-ups to detect vision problems early, especially in children, to mitigate their impact on education and development. They stress the need for coordinated efforts to reduce preventable blindness through conscious and balanced use of technology.