Why Stories Matter

I strongly believe that lasting shifts in eye health will take more than data and policy recommendations—it will take millions of people who care enough to demand more. Whilst data continues to drive our campaigning, we recognise the power of personal storytelling. Every Story Counts is our opportunity to put people at the heart of the Love Your Eyes campaign and ensure they do not get lost within the important data points. 

Stories bring numbers to life. They take what can feel like abstract statistics—2.2 billion people living with vision impairment—and connect them to individual journeys of resilience, barriers, and hope. They show why access to eye care is not only a health issue but a matter of opportunity and equality. 

Through the Love Your Eyes campaign, we’ve encouraged people to share what eye health means to them, from seeing the faces of friends and family for the first time to being driven by a passion to ensure everyone who needs a pair of glasses receives them. These stories resonate with policymakers and communities alike. They help shift conversations from whether we should prioritise eye health to how quickly we can act. 

We build storytelling into everything we do, including global moments like World Sight Day. Each pledge to #LoveYourEyes represents a personal commitment and a call for political action. Every story shared becomes a powerful advocacy tool that inspires governments and communities to care more about eye health. The photographs submitted to the World Sight Day Photo Competition add another layer, capturing the transformative power of eye care. 

These efforts are intentional. Stories help secure political commitments, encourage funding for services, and inspire communities to prioritise their own eye health. They help us push eye health further up the agenda for those with the power to make change. 

As you begin to plan for World Sight Day 2025 and 2026, I encourage you to think about how you capture the stories within your organisations, programmes, and networks. Every story you collect helps show that eye care for all is essential, urgent, and achievable. Together, we will ensure that the people behind the statistics are seen and heard, building the public and political will we need. 

Because when it comes to creating change, stories aren’t just powerful—they’re essential.