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ZEISS supports

World Sight Day 2026

#loveyoureyes

Thu, 8 October 2026

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Every October, on the second Thursday, World Sight Day casts a spotlight on the importance of eye care, and what it means to have care that is accessible, available and affordable to all.​

Globally, at least 2.2 billion people are affected by near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these cases, the impairment could have been prevented or remains unaddressed. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide are refractive errors and cataracts. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, it is estimated that globally only 36% of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error and only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received appropriate intervention.1

ZEISS is committed to addressing these challenges with comprehensive solutions and fostering a world where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy clear vision and visual health. As a pioneer of scientific optics, ZEISS continues to challenge the limits of human imagination to create better pathways to eye care and inspire the world to see in new ways. 

Andreas Völker

Head of the Ophthalmology Strategic Business Unit, ZEISS Medical Technology

“Around the world, millions of people face barriers to accessing the eye care they need. It’s one of the most important healthcare challenges of our time. At ZEISS, we believe that addressing this challenge requires close collaboration with ophthalmologists, healthcare providers, and partners who share our commitment to better patient outcomes. The combined strengths between ZEISS Medical Technology and ZEISS Consumer Markets give ZEISS a unique advantage in the market. Few companies can match our ability to unite medical and consumer eye care expertise, creating a seamless ecosystem which supports our commitment to advancing vision and ophthalmic care from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and lifelong vision correction."

Benjamin Viering

COO & CTO Strategic Business Unit ZEISS Vision Care, ZEISS Consumer Markets

"At ZEISS, helping people see better is at the center of what we do. Through our innovations in eye care and vision technology, we improve visual health for people every day. Yet despite the progress made in eye care, millions of people around the world still lack access to the services they need. To address this, ZEISS founded and continues to support the Aloka Vision Foundation, helping expand quality eye care in underserved regions. Through its program approximately one million people in India and Nepal benefit from access to eye care each year. On this World Sight Day, we invite others to join us in advancing access to eye care and improving visual health worldwide."

Actions that make a difference

ZEISS is dedicated to helping communities around the world improve the quality and accessibility of eye and vision care for those in need. Click on each pin on the map to learn more about some of the work ZEISS supports through its donations and partnerships.

At a glance: Activities around the world

  • Angola

    Community Outreach Initiative

    In partnership with CentroOptico, ZEISS supported a community outreach initiative focused on individuals with albinism from underserved families. The program provided comprehensive eye examinations to patients, while ZEISS donated prescription lenses free of charge to help improve visual comfort, protection, and overall quality of life.

  • Brazil

    Cataract Treatment Support

    ZEISS participated in Brazil’s 58th Expedition of the Expedicionários da Saúde, serving the Indigenous Community of Maués (AM), by donating intraocular lenses for surgeries as well as loaning advanced diagnostic and therapeutic laser equipment, treating hundreds of patients with ZEISS IOLs and performing many life-changing surgeries.

  • China

    Hope Project: Protecting Big Eyes

    In November 2025, ZEISS Vision Care China partnered with the China Youth Development Foundation. Through vision screenings, educational sessions, and interactive activities, the program promotes eye health awareness among children and families. In 2026, the initiative expanded through 10 public welfare events across China, reaching schools, community service centers, and youth activity centers.

  • Czech Republic & Slovakia

    Vision Screening Tent Project

    Working with local eye care professionals, a mobile vision screening initiative provided accessible vision checks to more than 1,150 people across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The project supported early identification of vision needs and helped increase awareness of the importance of eye health.

  • India and Nepal

    Aloka Vision Programme

    ZEISS, together with qualified optometrists from Aloka, carries out vision screenings and refractions, manages the production and distribution of custom-made eyewear, and provides support with ophthalmological treatment costs. In the year 2025/26, Aloka Vision Programme reached 2.02 million patients (previous year: 1.85 million).

  • India

    Eye camps

    From schools and workplaces to residential communities, ZEISS-supported eye camps brought vision care closer to people across India. Reaching more than 80,000 individuals, the initiative promoted eye health awareness, preventive care, and the early identification of vision problems through professional screenings.

  • Italy

    "See You in Class"

    Through this initiative, ZEISS Vision Care Italy helped raise awareness of eye health among young students across Italy. Reaching 22,500 pupils in 1,000 primary school classes, the program combined education, prevention, and family engagement to promote lifelong visual health.

  • Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO)

    ZEISS signed a partnership agreement with SSCO aimed at advancing eye care and optometric development in the Kingdom. As part of the initiative, ZEISS provided a research grant to support scientific research, professional education, and the continued advancement of optometry and visual health practices in Saudi Arabia.

  • Senegal

    Communiy Eye Clinic

    In 2023 ZEISS Vision Care Spain, Dentists on Wheels and the Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation opened the first community eye clinic in Missirah, Senegal. The clinic improves access to vision care for more than 10,000 people through local services, training and modern equipment.

  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

    Life-Changing Care Through Sight for Life

    ZEISS donations help Sight for Life perform more than 90 glaucoma, pterygium, and cataract surgeries, and provide more than 700 non-surgical treatments. Each surgery and patient seen by Sight for Life during the organization’s week on the island represents restored vision and renewed hope for someone and the family who depends on them.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Special Olympics 2026 

    In collaboration with the United Optometrist Forum (UOF), ZEISS supported the Special Olympics through comprehensive vision screening services for participating athletes.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Kids Nursery Screening

    ZEISS partnered with a local eye care clinic to conduct a vision screening program across multiple nursery locations in the UAE. The initiative provided vision assessments for both children and nursery staff, helping identify potential visual concerns at an early stage while reinforcing the importance of regular eye examinations and visual health awareness.

ZEISS highlights the importance of access to eye care on World Sight Day 2026

Press release

On World Sight Day, 8 October 2026, ZEISS reaffirms its commitment to protect and improve vision and lifetime visual health worldwide. Through innovations in ophthalmology and vision technology as well as the support of initiatives in underserved regions, the company contributes to expanding access to quality eye care. [...]

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 47,400 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide (March 31, 2026). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

 

ZEISS Vision Care
ZEISS Vision Care, part of ZEISS Consumer Markets segment, develops and manufactures comprehensive solutions for the entire value chain of ophthalmic optics. The portfolio includes top-quality eyeglass lenses, partner programs, ophthalmic instruments, services, digital solutions and apps for both eye care professionals and consumers, as well as care products for the eye and beyond. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of eyeglass lenses ZEISS is focused on optimal visual comfort and individualized vision solutions. With a passion for innovation and quality, ZEISS Vision Care is committed to protecting and enhancing people's vision and contributing to lifelong visual health.

 

ZEISS Medical Technoloy

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world's leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With approximately 4,823 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of €2,089.3m in fiscal year 2022/23 (to 30 September).

The Group’s head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company's presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 41 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG’s shares are in free float. The remaining approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world’s leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.

Press Contact Sarah Kopp International PR Manager

ZEISS Vision Care

Press Contact Frank Smith Head of Global Communications, Ophthalmology

ZEISS Medical Technology

Press Contact Renae Cazet Global Communications Manager, Ophthalmology

ZEISS Medical Technology

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