GOLDEN, Colo.—In August, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) issued its 2024 World Sight Day Challenge in support of its mission to eradicate uncorrected refractive error through the growth and expansion of optometry around the world. The Challenge is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. This year’s theme is Giving Together, Seeing Forever, which OGS said celebrates the collective power of the optometry community to give the gift of sight to millions of people in need. The Challenge runs from now through the end of October, with World Sight Day scheduled to be celebrated on October 10.

With just over a month until World Sight Day, now is the time to get inspired and join in on OGS’ Challenge—and thankfully there is plenty of inspiration available. Those who are interested in taking on the Challenge can visit givingsight.org/wsdc to register and receive a dedicated toolkit with ideas and resources. The toolkit is applicable no matter the size of your company—from multinationals to independent ECPs with one location, who can make a major impact both in their local communities and worldwide.

Steve Rice, OD, of Vision Clinic in Springfield, Mo., for example, has participated in the Challenge for nearly 20 years alongside his staff, with 12 of those years spent sponsoring a local 5K run. Dr. Rice said, “Ending avoidable blindness and vision impairment is a cause that truly hits home and is tailor-made for optometry practice participation. After so many years of participating in the World Sight Day Challenge, the highlight of our participation is the pride in knowing that Vision Clinic, as a group and as individuals, is working to make a positive impact worldwide.

“I love Optometry Giving Sight—a simple but classic name that describes exactly what we’re doing. Your level of involvement in the World Sight Day Challenge is up to you. You can do a little or a lot. Whatever you do, you’ll find your staff, your patients, and you expanding the benevolence that is likely already a part of your practice to make change throughout the world,” Dr. Rice said.

Vision Clinic’s annual 5K for Optometry Giving Sight helps raise money and unite the community. Image via myvisionclinic on Instagram


There are other ways to get involved, too. Optometry Giving Sight has a page dedicated to highlights from past years’ Challenges, showcasing the impactful work done and money raised from practices large and small in the U.S. and Canada. The detailed web page is a great place to find inspiration of your own. Plus, ECPs can take part by sharing the Challenge on social media.

With the funds raised, OGS said it will provide grants to programs focused on long-term solutions, including those that establish optometry schools, vision centers and optical labs in underserved communities both at home and around the globe. Individuals will receive education and training to become optometrists who can then provide ongoing eyecare for years to come.

Lois Schoenbrun, executive director, Optometry Giving Sight, said, “The projects we support are almost entirely funded by individuals and businesses within the eyecare community. Dollars donated help deliver access to eyecare for people of all ages where the need is greatest throughout the world. We use donations to meet the immediate need globally for eye exams and eyeglasses, and to provide a long-term solution by expanding the optometry profession in places where it’s needed most.”

For independent ECPs looking to take part in the Challenge, the possibilities are endless. From sponsored races like Vision Clinic to fun raffles, classic bake sales, movie nights, block parties, talent shows and more, independent ECPS have the opportunity to make a major impact on optometry’s reach around the globe.