The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has launched its 2026 World Sight Day campaign, calling on the global eye care community to unite behind the #LoveYourEyes initiative ahead of World Sight Day on October 8.

The campaign encourages individuals to prioritize their own eye health while urging governments to increase funding for eye care and improve access to vision services, including sight tests and affordable eyeglasses. This year's theme emphasizes personal stories, lived experiences, and community action as a way to highlight the importance of accessible eye care.

As part of the campaign, IAPB is inviting organizations and individuals to participate in several global initiatives, including Every Story Counts, which encourages people to share their experiences with eye health; a goal of collecting 5 million #LoveYourEyes pledges; and a Global Challenge encouraging vision screenings in schools, workplaces, and government settings. The organization is also expanding its Love Your Eyes educational resources for children, caregivers, schools, employers, and employees.

According to IAPB, the #LoveYourEyes campaign has generated more than 25 million pledges and over 1 billion media impressions since its launch 5 years ago.

The 2026 campaign also precedes the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health, scheduled for November 2 in Antigua and Barbuda, where countries are expected to outline commitments related to global eye care.

"This year's World Sight Day is not only about celebrating progress—it's about building the momentum needed to deliver lasting change to end avoidable sight loss," said Simon Darvill, IAPB director of communications, campaigns, and events.

World Sight Day is led by IAPB and supported by more than 250 member organizations and a range of global partners across the eye care sector. Campaign resources and participation information are available here.