Filmmaker and producer Kris Koenig.
LAS VEGAS and CHICO, Calif.—Thousands of hours of filming around the globe, hundreds of interviews and stories and perspectives of people connected to “vision” in various sectors—from science, technology, product development retailing and medicine—are being pulled into a one-of-a-kind project that will potentially be seen by millions around the world. The upcoming documentary, “SIGHT: The Story of Vision,” is being produced in association with Southern Oregon Public Television, affiliated with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the film is expected to air in 2016.

Filmed over the past two years on six continents, the “SIGHT”story weaves, “The tale of the journey of humanity that discovered the science, technology and medicine that allows us to understand how sight works, cure diseases of the eye and correct vision,” according to producer and filmmaker, Kris Koenig. The documentary also presents a view of various eye health care crises taking place around the world.

The documentary traces the story of sight from the perspective of eye health and surgical science (l) eye exams (r) as well
as eyewear design, ophthalmic lenses and research from optical company experts.
Koenig added, “Our ability to see determines our quality of life, yet many of us take our sight for granted. A great portion of the world’s population struggles to see, and none of us will be able to escape vision loss in our lifetime.”

“Zeiss has been supporting initiatives to fight preventable blindness for many years now and is engaged in providing people in the developing world with access to modern eyecare,” said Karen Roberts, vice president at Zeiss Vision Care business group and a member of the advisory board for the project. “Creating more awareness for low vision, vision impairment and preventable blindness as real world health issues is a major step in helping to fight this issue.”

(L to R) At the “SIGHT” preview, Zeiss’ Karen Robert, with producer Kris Koenig and his son, Nils Koenig.
On hand for the “SIGHT”preview are, Dr. David Fleishman (far left) with Zeiss’ Karen Roberts (second from right) and Jobson’s Mark Mattison-Shupnick and his wife, Ilene.
At an event hosted by Zeiss, guests watched a preview of highlights from “SIGHT.”
(L to R) Zeiss’ Alex Dreu, Timo Mappes, Veneeta Easonand Jens Boy.
The documentary will reveal the vision crisis that is taking place across the globe and the amazing individuals who fight to overcome it. “The documentary will present the research focused on curing blindness and improving low vision in our aging population, and cover the intersection of optics, digital science and medicine that hold promises for all of us to keep our sight,” explained Koenig. “The film will also show the history of using optics to correct vision and the fashion that keeps glasses on our noses.”

In Las Vegas, during Vision Expo West last month, the filmmakers of “SIGHT,” previewed a trailer of the film to sponsors and invited guests at a special event hosted by Zeiss, one of the project’s major underwriters.

In fact, Koenig told VM, “Zeiss has come on board with the funds to underwrite the development of “Seeing: The Proton’s Journey Across Space & Mind,” which will be how part of the story of “SIGHT” will be able to be distributed to major planetariums around the world, free of charge, to show audiences how the brain and the eyes work and to promote eye health care.”

The project takes on multiple formats and dimensions. Koenig noted that “SIGHT’s” “second screen” sponsorship is being underwritten by Essilor. The “second screen” option will convey and provide much more information about issues discussed in the content of the documentary itself, so that viewers of the national broadcast will be able to access small vignettes and other related information at their discretion.

There will be a “SIGHT” mobile app, now in development, which will also interact with the audio of the broadcast on phones or tablet devices and creates new ways for viewers to engage with the content website. It will showcase other elements of the film and other content for viewer access.

Further, via a grant from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, there will be a range of “SIGHT: The Story of Vision” content developed specifically for schools across the country, Koenig said. This will target students in grades K through 12 so they can watch “SIGHT” in their classrooms, engage with study guides and other learning objects and toolkits.

In addition, to engage with patients, consumers and eyecare professionals and groups across the U.S., there will be special “SIGHT” outreach events in the Top 30 U.S. metro markets, coordinated with PBS affiliates around the country. The organizers are seeking participation of ECPs in these markets; there’s a goal of conducting vision screenings, focused mainly on children and the elderly. VSP and Luxottica, as “SIGHT” sponsors, Koenig noted “will be leading the charge on these outreach events.”

The organizers of “SIGHT: The Story of Vision” are still looking for more outreach partners for their efforts to create as much impact for the messages around the project as possible. As of VM’s press time, underwriters included: Zeiss, Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, Luxottica, VSP Vision Care, Essilor, OneSight,The Vision Council, Adlens and The Ohio State University College of Optometry, along with Southern Oregon Public TV, O DA, production partners and other personal underwriters, including David Fleischman, MD and Robert Fleischman, OD.

To learn more about “SIGHT: The Story of Vision” go to www.StoryofSight.com.