World Sight Day Initiative

The Vatican's Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary offers free eye exams and prescription glasses to about 50 poor children on World Sight Day.

World Sight Day Theme

This year's World Sight Day theme is 'Love Your Eyes', emphasizing eye health for personal and collective well-being.

Charity Partnership

The initiative partners with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

Archbishop's Statement

Archbishop Luis Marin de San Martin described the initiative as a concrete testimony of the Church's charitable action with no borders.

“It is charity, that adapts, with creativity, to changing needs.”

Doctor's Perspective

Ophthalmologist Dr Valeria Pendino noted that untreated childhood eye issues can hinder development and require follow-up treatment.

“Today I saw older children, but also young adults who, if they had been diagnosed and treated during childhood, would have had a different course.”