LONDON (TIP): Global leaders from health, policy, philanthropy, and youth movements will gather at the **House of Lords, London**, on **Saturday, January 31, 2026**, to commemorate the **International Day for a World Without Childhood Blindness (IDWWCB)**—a global observance dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood blindness worldwide.
The high-level commemoration marks **49 years of service to children since January 31, 1977**, when the first eye camp was conducted, launching a movement that has since transformed millions of young lives through prevention, treatment, and long-term systems of pediatric eye care across continents.
The event is led by the **Eye Foundation of America (EFA)** in collaboration with global partners and youth leaders, and is hosted at one of the world’s most influential legislative institutions—underscoring the importance of integrating childhood vision care into **public health policy, education systems, and global development agendas**.
Childhood blindness remains one of the most preventable public health challenges. With over **90% of learning dependent on vision**, unaddressed eye conditions significantly impact educational outcomes, economic opportunity, and lifelong well-being. The International Day aligns with the **United Nations Sustainable Development Goals**, particularly **SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)** and **SDG 4 (Quality Education)**, reinforcing vision care as a critical enabler of equity and human potential.
The global movement was founded by **Dr. V. K. Raju**, an internationally respected ophthalmologist and humanitarian whose work spans India, Africa, the United States, and beyond. The commemoration is supported by **Lord Rami Ranger**, Member of the House of Lords and a longstanding advocate for global humanitarian causes.
The January 31 commemoration serves as a unified call to governments, multilateral agencies, corporate leaders, and civil society to accelerate collective action toward a future where no child is blind due to avoidable causes.
(Based on a Press Release)
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