25 Years of Progress in Eye Health—And the Urgent Work Ahead

Today, more than a billion people wake up each morning unable to clearly see their children, read a book, or work to support their families—vision loss that could be prevented or treated. Yet, for many, the promise of eye care is out of reach. In many low- and middle-income countries, a single Eye Care Professional (ECP) may be responsible for tens of thousands of patients, while aging populations and rising rates of eye conditions create even more need.

In recognition of World Sight Day 2025, we can celebrate what has been achieved but should also confront a sobering truth: we still have a lot of work to do to ensure millions won’t continue to live with avoidable vision loss. The future of eye care depends not only on innovation, but also on training more Eye Care Professionals and providing the infrastructure they need to reach more people.
 

Looking Back: A Period of Unprecedented Innovation

In the past quarter century, innovation has fundamentally reshaped how we understand and treat vision loss. But eye care has not evolved in isolation; it advances in response to the way the world itself is changing.  For example:

• Aging Populations & Chronic Disease: Longer lifespans and rising rates of diabetes have made cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal diseases more common. In 2020, 596 million people lived with distance vision impairment. By 2050, that figure is projected to reach nearly 900 million, with more than 60 million blind.  The encouraging truth is that most of this vision loss is preventable or treatable—and advances in surgery and therapeutics mean today’s patients can maintain independence and quality of life far longer than before.
• The Future Frontier: Digital tools and AI are beginning to reshape how we deliver care. From diagnostics, to monitoring, to case planning, to follow-up, the potential applications of digital medicine in eye care are extensive. But this revolution in how we use data to improve outcomes must also confront the challenges of access and health equity.
   

The Future: Investing in the People Who Deliver Progress 

If the first 25 years of World Sight Day were about driving awareness, access, and innovation, then the next 25 must be about impact. That begins with investing in the professionals who make vision care possible.

Training and education are force multipliers for global eye health. Across the sector, we must focus on three areas where the need is greatest—and where Alcon is committed to playing a part:

• Capacity building: Expanding training opportunities and professional development for ECPs is essential to strengthening local health systems. At Alcon, more than 5,000 surgeons have been trained through our programs, including initiatives like the Phaco Development Program and regional Children’s Vision efforts, supporting millions of sight-restoring procedures.
• Philanthropy and outreach: Providing product donations, funding, and mission support helps extend care to underserved communities. Through Alcon Cares and the Alcon Foundation, more than $500 million in grants and products have reached patients in over 70 countries.
• Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations like Orbis, SEE International and local institutions is critical to increasing access through shared expertise, innovation, and infrastructure. Together, we have enabled millions of screenings and supported tens of thousands of surgeries for patients who might otherwise have gone untreated.

We also recognize that real impact requires empowering patients themselves. When people understand the options available to them, they are more likely to seek care, follow through with treatment, and advocate for their own vision health.