International Day for World Without Childhood Blindness
On January 31, 1977, Dr. V.K. Raju held his first eye camp in rural India. That single act of service sparked a global movement. Today, the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) works across 31 countries, bringing hope, healing, and vision to millions of children and families.
To honor this legacy, and to inspire the future, January 31 is now commemorated as the International Day for a World Without Childhood Blindness. This day is not just about awareness—it is a call to action.
- To remind the world that 90% of learning happens through vision.
- To recognize that blindness is not destiny—it is preventable.
- To unite governments, health systems, corporations, and communities in a shared mission: no child should go blind for want of timely care.
Each year, on January 31, EFA and our partners worldwide renew our pledge to fight preventable blindness through screenings, eyeglasses, surgeries, and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) programs.
Why This Matters
- A child who loses sight may lose 70 years of potential.
- An affordable intervention can transform an entire family’s future.
- By investing in children’s vision, we invest in the future of humanity.
Join us. Support the movement. Be a part of history.
Together, we can create a World Without Childhood Blindness.
