Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the launch of its 2025 World Sight Day Challenge, a global fundraising initiative that will run from September 1 through October 31 in support of World Sight Day on October 9. The campaign aims to expand access to eye care and eliminate uncorrected refractive error, which remains one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide.

During the Challenge, optometry practices, student groups, and related businesses are encouraged to organize fundraising activities. Options include raffles, bake sales, office contests, fun runs, online fundraisers, or direct donations. Funds raised will contribute to OGS’s annual grant program, which has already distributed more than $8 million to projects that provide vision care to more than 15 million people globally. To date, OGS has helped establish 14 optometry schools, build 130 vision centers, and train more than 14,000 optometry professionals in over 50 countries.

This year introduces two new fundraising competitions that are sponsored by Dr. Greg Pearl: Facebook Thumbs-Up Throwdown and the Highest Contributor Contest. These contests are designed to increase participation among optometry practices and student groups.

According to OGS Executive Director Donna J. Mikulecky, more than 1 billion people worldwide live with vision impairment or blindness due to lack of access to eye exams and glasses. Without significant investment in eye care, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness projects that number will rise to 1.7 billion by 2050. Ms. Mikulecky said in a press release: “The programs we fund provide exams and glasses, but also fund the establishment and development of the optometry profession, so that eye care is available today and well into the future.”

Those interested in joining the 2025 Challenge can register or learn more at www.givingsight.org/wsdc.