World Sight Day 2024 and NASN

World Sight Day 2024 logo - Love Your Eyes

Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) under the Love Your Eyes campaign banner, World Sight Day 2024 is putting children at the center of the campaign. 

Prevent Blindness and NASN

National Association of School Nurses - NASN logo

Children’s eye and vision health has been a critical part of the Prevent Blindness mission since our founding in 1908. That’s why we’re proud to be partnering with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to promote 2024 World Sight Day, 10 October 2024, which will highlight the importance of prioritizing children’s eye health.

World Sight Day Toolkit

The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness, in collaboration with NASN, is excited to introduce this toolkit designed to support school nurses, school staff, parents, and caregivers. The toolkit encompasses online eye health and safety information, financial aid resources, practical tips, and engaging activity ideas for World Sight Day. Together, we aim to improve children’s vision health and readiness to learn as well as promote equity and access to eye care.

How Can School Nurses Highlight Children’s Vision for World Sight Day?

We know your days are filled with responsibilities and activities, so we want to make participating in WSD as easy as possible.  Below you’ll see activities and tactics you may consider employing throughout the month (09/10/24-10/10/24), along with downloadable ready-to-use resources.

When Should School Nurses Highlight Children’s Vision for World Sight Day?

World Sight day is October 10 around the world. In the U.S., NASN and Prevent Blindness will be sponsoring activities and events for a full month, from September 10 through October 10. Please join us!

Vision Screening

If you haven’t already, and it’s appropriate for your school, this may be a great month to conduct your school’s vision screenings.

Age Guidelines for Vision Screening

Let parents and families know about the importance of vision screening and eye care with an article in your school newsletter. You can adapt this template.

Stickers, Bookmarks, Coloring Pages, Fun Facts, Parent Resources

Give away these “I Love My Eyes” stickers and “Nurses Love Your Eyes” bookmarks to your students; or provide them to your teachers to distribute.  We have designed these for you to print yourself.

Back to School Night

Feature a “SEE You at School!” booth at your Back to School Night.  Make parent resources available, as well as fun items for the students.

Truffles the Kitty

Truffles the Kitty poster pack

Our friend Truffles the Kitty is joining us to celebrate World Sight Day!

Outdoor Activities Handout

Visit the Truffles the Kitty Store
for posters, more fun activities and educational resources.

Stickers
Bookmarks
Activities
Parent Resources

Glasses of the Future Competition

Our friends at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness are inviting kids from all around the world to participate in a competition to design the next generation of glasses. This could be a fun activity to share with your preschool and elementary school teachers to implement with their students. Learn more at Glasses of the Future.

Tell Your Member of Congress That Children’s Eye Health Matters

Did you know there is no federally funded program in the United States that specifically addresses children’s vision and eye health? That is why Prevent Blindness is advocating for the passage of the Early Detection of Vision Impairment (EDVI) Act of 2024 (also endorsed by the National Association of School Nurses).  When passed, the EDVI Act will provide resources to states and communities to assist in ensuring all children have access to eye care.

EDVI Act - Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act

World Sight Day Proclamation

Make WSD a community-wide event.  Consider asking your school board, mayor, or governor to make a proclamation celebrating WSD and children’s vision.

Social Media

Share all the fun you are having with your parents, community, and friends by posting your activities on social media (with proper permission, of course).  You can use the hashtags #LoveYourEyes and #WorldSightDay, and don’t forget to tag Prevent Blindness in your posts so we can see all the activity.

Additional Resources

How Vision and Learning are Connected

Vision and Classroom Behaviors

Vision and Eye Health Toolkit

Created for NASN members in partnership with the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness, the goal of the toolkit resources is to standardize approaches to vision health, facilitate follow-up eye care for students who do not pass vision screening, provide family/caregiver friendly educational information, and consult with leading pediatric eye care providers to promote best practices.