Johnson & Johnson Vision Encourages Public to #spotlightsight for World Sight Day

Campaign Raises Awareness of the Importance of Eye Health and Supports Two Global Humanitarian Efforts

JACKSONVILLE, Florida and SANTA ANA, California, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sight is arguably the most prized of all human senses. Yet, there are many people who do not fully experience the wonder of this gift. Nearly 285 million people around the world face impaired vision, with 80 percent being preventable with early diagnosis and treatment.¹ That's why Johnson & Johnson Vision, a broad-based global leader in eye health, has launched a worldwide campaign to #spotlightsight on World Sight Day, October 11.

During the week of World Sight Day (October 8-12), the company will draw attention to global eye health by encouraging members of the public to donate directly to Lions Club International Foundation, Sight for Kids or the Himalayan Cataract Project, and by sharing photos on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag, #spotlightsight. A spotlight in the sky will also be shone direct from Johnson & Johnson Vision headquarters in Florida and California.

Sight for Kids has provided school-based eye health education and vision screening to more than 26 million children around the world since 2002. Today, an estimated 19 million children have impaired vision. Of these, nearly two thirds (12 million) need access to spectacles to correct for refractive errors.²

Johnson & Johnson Vision is increasing awareness and encouraging donations to Sight for Kids through a captivating video which tells the story of a young boy in China with vision impairment. The video will be promoted across the globe and is available to watch here.

Donations can be made direct to Sight for Kids at Lions Clubs International Foundation. Johnson & Johnson Vision will be making its own significant contribution in honor of World Sight Day, providing over 100,000 eye exams for children around the world.

Partnering with the Himalayan Cataract Project, Johnson & Johnson Vision is also providing 1,000 people with life changing cataract surgery. Cataracts are the number one cause of preventable blindness.³ Restoring or improving sight can make a profound difference to people's lives. Direct donations can be made to the Himalayan Cataract Project.

Sandra Rasche, Regional VP Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, commented, "Across the world there remains significant unmet need in eye health. At Johnson & Johnson Vision, we want to change that. As we work towards tackling this challenge, supporting and raising awareness of preventable vision impairment is critical."