Every year on the second Thursday of October, the global eye care community marks World Sight Day. In 2026 it falls on 8 October, and the movement carries one message: #LoveYourEyes.
What the campaign is about
The day is led by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), and more than 250 member organisations champion it. This year's campaign puts real stories and community action at the centre, and aims for 5 million Love Your Eyes pledges. IAPB is also building towards the first Global Summit for Eye Health, planned for 2 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, which focuses on ending avoidable sight loss for more than 1 billion people worldwide.
Why this matters close to home
Much of the sight loss that the campaign talks about is either preventable or treatable. In daily practice, the problem is often timing. Cataract can be operated on, glasses can correct a refractive error, and glaucoma and diabetic eye disease can be controlled, but only if they are found.
Five steps you can take this month
- Book an eye examination. A comprehensive eye examination looks at far more than your glasses number.
- Check on the older people at home. Parents often quietly stop reading or avoid night travel rather than mention poor vision.
- If you have diabetes, get a dilated retina check. Diabetic retinopathy usually causes no symptoms early on.
- Ask about family history. Glaucoma can run in families, and relatives of a patient should be examined.
- Look after daily habits. Take screen breaks, wear protective eyewear for risky work, and do not use old or borrowed eye drops.
Small act, long benefit
A check-up takes an evening. For many people it is the difference between catching a problem early and discovering it after sight has already been lost. If you do one thing for your eyes this month, make it this.
Getting checked in Andheri West
Divyajyoti Eye Hospital is at Jyoti Apartment, Ground Floor, opposite the 7 Bungalows Bus Depot, J.P. Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400053. The OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and is closed on Sunday. Call +91-7777018301 or +91-88505 65588, or send an enquiry through our contact page.