With nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffering from vision problems,* the Vision Awareness Initiative (VAI) is dedicated to raising awareness about the most devastating ocular disorders, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, as well as more common visual problems like myopia, dry eye and computer vision syndrome in worldwide communities. The ultimate goal? Blindness prevention. Early intervention and timely treatment can curb progression and limit damage propagated by many vision illnesses. We focus on empowering the next generation of young voices to foster an urgency for positive change. The VAI is committed to spreading awareness about these disorders, along with promoting healthy digital use habits and encouraging the next generation of problem-solvers to pioneer cutting-edge innovation that advances the field. Some of our activities include, but are not limited to, hosting awareness campaigns, pioneering youth research, and inviting experts from the field. People of all age groups are welcome to join the VAI.

*Forrest SL, Mercado CL, Engmann CM, et al. Does the Current Global Health Agenda Lack Vision?. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2023;11(1):e2200091. Published 2023 Feb 28. doi:10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00091