IAPB welcomes World Sight Day mascot

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has launched the campaign for World Sight Day 2024 (10 October) with a focus on children’s eye health.

New for this year’s campaign, IAPB has introduced a mascot called ‘Artie,’ created to represent the Love Your Eyes logo.

The organisation has also released a suite of eye health activities and learning materials for children of all ages.

A competition to invent the next generation of glasses has also opened, with two categories for children under five, and between the ages of six–12. Open worldwide, the Glasses of the Future competition will close on World Sight Day.

Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB, said: “With the 2024 campaign, we are focusing our efforts on ensuring parents and carers understand the role eye care plays in a child’s development, learning attainment, and social interactions.”

He added that, through the support of Love Your Eyes global partners and membership network, IAPB hopes to “inspire millions of young people everywhere to take care of their eyes.”

Opportunities to engage in the campaign run from July through to World Sight Day on 10 October.

Simon Darvill, director of communications, campaigns and events for IAPB, shared: “We introduced Artie and the Glasses of the Future Competition as fun ways to inspire children to look away from the screen and learn healthy habits that will protect their eyes for a long time.”

"Our hope is that everyone with an interest in helping children see will adopt Artie in a way that supports their awareness and campaigning efforts,” he continued, adding: “We would also love for businesses to invite the children who come through their waiting rooms to enter the competition and create some cool glasses.”