World Sight Day 2025

9 October 2025

Every year, World Sight Day, observed on the second Thursday of October, provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of eye health and to advocate for action. In the Western Pacific Region, people living with vision loss represent a major public health concern, as our region has one of the highest prevalence rates of eye conditions globally, with countries facing a disproportionate burden of avoidable blindness. Over 150 million people in the region live with visual impairment, including an estimated 11 million who are blind. 

The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) is actively supporting Member States to strengthen eye health for all. In 2025, WHO WPRO is highlighting progress towards the WHO global eye care targets, including the commitment to achieve a 30% increase in effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) and a 40% increase in effective refractive error coverage (eREC) by 2030. Concrete actions this year include the launch of SPECS 2030 for refractive error services in several countries across the Region, including the most populated ones such as China and Indonesia, alongside new estimates for effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) and eREC being released in 2025.