Nov. 8, 2023 — The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has announced the winners of the eighth annual World Sight Day 2023 photo competition, selected by an independent panel of six judges from around the world.
 
Santanu Bose won the professional Photo of the Year with “The Artist.”

Image by Santanu Bose courtesy of IAPB

Marisa Martins Armada won the amateur Photo of the Year with “The Smile of Happiness.”

Image by Marisa Martins Armada courtesy of IAPB
 
“These pictures show how we can help people with visual needs and encourage everyone to take good care of their eyes,” says Caroline Casey, IABP president and photo competition judge. “It helps more people, including policymakers, understand why taking care of our eyes must be a priority.”
 
Almost 1,000 images were submitted from dozens of countries, reflecting the enthusiasm displayed worldwide around the Love Your Eyes campaign, according to Simon Darvill, director of communications, campaigns, and events for IAPB. “The photo competition, a yearly highlight, is an extension of that spirit…[and] has helped tell the story of eye care—the social and economic impact of having accessible, available and affordable eye care and the flip side,” he says. “We are continually thrilled that so many photographers are keen to be part of helping tell that story.”
 
In addition to IABP’s president, the judging panel included Anibal Bueno, scientist and professional photographer; Ian Pearce, M.B., ChB, BSc, consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon; Marge AxeIrad, senior vice president and editorial director of Vision Monday; Imraan Gallo, visually impaired photographer an advocate for artists with disabilities; and Kwame Yeboah Jnr, optometrist and World Sight Day 2022 photo competition winner.