Let’s inspire kids everywhere to love their eyes

WORLD SIGHT DAY IS OCTOBER 10, 2024

World Sight Day, coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), is a global day of awareness about the importance of eye health. This year, the spotlight is on championing eye health for children and young people everywhere.

SEE THE POSSIBILITIES ‘YOUNG AT HEART’ PHOTO CONTEST

In honour of World Sight Day, we’re excited to hold the second annual See The Possibilities Photo Contest. To celebrate this year’s focus on children and youth, we’re asking you to share your best ‘Young at Heart’ photos.

They say there’s a kid in all of us. What makes YOU feel like a kid again? Maybe it’s splashing in a puddle, seeing a bunch of colourful balloons, or watching your own little one’s face light up on Christmas morning.

Show us your best photos of the moments that make you feel ‘Young at Heart’.
Submit your photo for a chance to win!

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Submissions are now closed.
Vote on your favourite photo to help choose a winner!

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WIN ONE OF TWO PRIZES

Two winning photos will be selected – one by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) panel and one by popular vote.
$300 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE "COS CHOICE" WINNING PHOTO
$300 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE "PEOPLE’S CHOICE" WINNING PHOTO

WHAT’S NEXT?

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
Wednesday October 2, 2024 at 3:59pm ET
VOTING OPENS
Wednesday October 2, 2024 at 4pm ET
LAST DAY TO VOTE
Thursday October 24, 2024 at 4pm ET
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Friday October 25, 2024

YOUR ‘YOUNG AT HEART’ SNAPS

Check out the pics that have already been submitted. Aren’t they pure joy?
Starting October 2
Vote for your favourite photo to help choose the People’s Choice winner

PRIORITIZING EYE HEALTH SHOULD START EARLY

Happy kids at elementary school

Good vision is vital to a child’s physical development, success in school, and overall well-being. Prioritizing eye health from a young age helps set kids up for a lifetime of healthy vision.

Myopia in focus

Myopia (also known as near-sightedness) is a common eye-focusing disorder that causes distant objects to appear blurry.

Normal vision

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too quickly (typically during childhood) and becomes abnormally long

This affects the eye’s ability to bend light to properly focus on the retina, causing far vision to be blurred

The development of myopia in children is a growing issue worldwide

It’s estimated that by 2050, more than 50% of people will have myopia

Evidence shows that the risk of myopia increases with

More time spent on
“near work” (reading and
on screens)

Less time
spent outdoors

It’s about more than just needing glasses

People with myopia are at a higher risk for serious eye conditions later in life

Glaucoma

Cataracts

Retinal detachment and tears

Help prevent childhood myopia or delay its progression with these simple habits:

Limit screen time,
especially near-screen
tasks

Take screen breaks

Spend more time
outside

Ensure regular
vision screenings to
assess for myopia

Treatments are available that can help intervene during the rapid growth phase to help
slow down myopia progression.

5 signs of vision problems in children

1

Turning or tilting
their head

2

Squinting

3

Holding objects
too close

4

Excessive
blinking

5

Eye rubbing

Protect your child’s vision. Watch for signs of vision problems and get regular vision screenings to help detect and treat any problems early.
MazeTime_Thumbnail_ENG.png

Guide Artie through the maze to find their glasses


Want to know more about kids eye health?

Hear from pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Vivian Hill.
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