Cure Blindness Project to Deliver More Than 770,000 Eye Screenings for World Sight Day

Global effort across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean will expand access to eye care while strengthening local health systems

NORWICH, Vt., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure Blindness Project, a global leader in eliminating avoidable blindness, will facilitate more than 770,000 eye screenings across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean in recognition of World Sight Day on Thursday, October 8.

As part of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)'s global goal to conduct 2 million eye screenings through its 250+ partners, Cure Blindness Project's efforts will help identify vision problems, connect people with treatment and build sustainable eye-care systems in underserved communities.

"World Sight Day gives us an opportunity to focus global attention on the millions of people who still lack access to basic eye care. These 770,000 screenings represent far more than a number—they are opportunities to identify vision problems, connect people with treatment and help ensure quality eye care is available in communities for generations to come," said K-T Overbey, CEO of Cure Blindness Project.

Country teams and partners will mark World Sight Day with activities that raise awareness, expand screening and treatment, strengthen local capacity, and restore sight.

Strengthening Eye Health in South Asia
In Bhutan, the Ministry of Health, with support from Cure Blindness Project and the World Health Organization, will officially disseminate Bhutan's National Eye Health Strategy for the next five years on World Sight Day, providing a framework for coordinated, long-term planning in eye care.

In India, students will participate in a "Love Your Eyes" school poster contest, while a community eye screening and awareness campaign in Sikkim will provide screenings, referrals and eye-health education.

In Nepal, Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, in collaboration with Cure Blindness Project, will lead a national eye-health awareness campaign including screenings, public education, media outreach and community engagement designed to encourage timely access to care.

Advancing Sight-Saving Solutions in Africa
In Ethiopia, Cure Blindness Project's School Eye Health Project will screen tens of thousands of students across 20 primary schools. Children will receive comprehensive assessments, treatment and referrals, with free eyeglasses provided to those who need them. Teachers and school health staff will also be trained to help integrate eye health into routine school activities.

In Ghana, Cure Blindness Project and its partners have completed more than 12,000 sight-restoring surgeries in hard-to-reach areas in 2026 and trained 40 ophthalmic nurses to identify and manage eye conditions and strengthen referral pathways. The organization is also supporting Ghana's Ministry of Health as it begins developing a National Human Tissue and Organ Transplantation Policy.

In South Sudan, surgical outreaches have restored sight to nearly 5,000 patients over the past six months. The country is also preparing to launch an Ophthalmic Clinical Officers training program to decentralize eye care and expand access.

In Eritrea, Cure Blindness Project is helping strengthen specialized eye-care capacity through biomedical training for engineers maintaining surgical equipment and advanced training for ophthalmology residents.

Expanding Access in Antigua and Barbuda
As a lead partner on the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative, Cure Blindness Project will conduct 20,000 eye screenings, establish and equip two eye care centers and host a surgical outreach in late October. The initiative aims to help establish the first Blindness-Free Zone in the Caribbean.

Building Lasting Global Impact
World Sight Day activities build on Cure Blindness Project's long-term work to make quality eye care accessible and sustainable in communities around the world. Cure Blindness Project and its partners have collectively performed more than 2 million sight-restoring surgeries, trained more than 20,000 eye care professionals, and provided screenings and basic treatment to more than 20 million people across 30 countries.

By combining immediate screening and treatment with investments in local professionals, facilities and health systems, Cure Blindness Project is working to create lasting access to eye care long after World Sight Day.

This World Sight Day, Cure Blindness Project encourages everyone to make eye health a priority, including scheduling a comprehensive eye exam if they are due for an exam. To learn more about Cure Blindness Project and how you can help expand access to sight-restoring care around the world, visit www.cureblindness.org.

About Cure Blindness Project
Founded as Himalayan Cataract Project, Cure Blindness Project today celebrates more than 30 years of restoring sight. What began in Nepal has grown into a global effort reaching more than 30 countries through high-quality eye care, education, and the development of world-class eye care infrastructure. Together with partners, Cure Blindness Project has provided more than 2 million sight-restoring surgeries and screenings and basic care to more than 20 million people. To learn more, visit www.cureblindness.org.

Media Contact
Phillip Sontag
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917-446-4123

SOURCE Cure Blindness Project