Changing the Way the World Sees

285 million people in the world are visually impaired.  Over 12 million children in the world suffer from visual loss due to a lack of basic health care --and 90% of these people live in developing countries.

But the good news is 80% of visual impairment can be avoided or completely cured. 

Tomorrow, October 10th is World Sight Day, a call to action to promote awareness and generate consciousness for the world's visually impaired. This year TOMS alongside Worth Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) are working together to change the world's grim statistics. TOM’s is launching a Sight Giving campaign to help provide eye exams, glasses and medical treatments for children in developing countries and adults who have been laid off work due to their disability.  In addition, SAME SKY Ambassador, Mark Ackermann CEO and President of Lighthouse International, has worked with his organization to promote the development and implementation of eye care service worldwide helping blind people overcome the challenges of vision loss.

To support this day, TOMS is binding the power of social media and challenging people to wear their sunglasses indoors on October 10th. Be sure to take an “eye selfie” photo and share it on their social media with the hashtag #BESHADY. Users without smart phones can also demonstrate their commitment to World Sight Day by posting their “eye selfie” photos using #BESHADY on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. So get you your sunglasses ready and promote the fact that we can make a difference.