SAN RAMON, Calif.—CooperVision announced that it has raised more than $300,000 in 2023 through global initiatives in support of Optometry Giving Sight (OGS). This global organization helps communities without access to eyecare by training eyecare practitioners, delivering eye exams and low/no-cost eyeglasses, and establishing optometry schools, vision centers, and optical labs. Since 2008, CooperVision has helped OGS raise more than $4.9 million to support their critical mission. Again this year, CooperVision offered its customers in the U.S. and Canada an opportunity to redirect their product rebates to OGS’ annual fundraising campaign.

With facilitation by CooperVision, rebate donations accounted for $188,265 of the initiative’s total, while CooperVision’s World Sight Day Challenge raised an additional $118,192 from employees globally.

“Almost everyone in the world has or will need vision correction in their lifetime, yet more than a billion people worldwide do not have access to basic eyecare,” said Simon Seshadri, senior vice president, global marketing and life cycle management. “Whether it’s through donating time, scientific and clinical expertise, supporting ECPs to grow their practices, or financial contributions, it is our duty as an ongoing global partner to OGS to do our part to help people in need reach their full potential through the gift of sight.”

In 2023, CooperVision participated in OGS’ annual fundraising campaign through a series of regional and global initiatives. These events included a photo contest, guest speaker events, luncheons, a pop-up ice cream stand, homemade waffle sale, and more. CooperVision also organized free vision screenings around the world that not only built awareness around the importance of healthy eyecare habits, but also served as an opportunity to raise funds to help support OGS efforts in other parts of the world.

“At the heart of our organization is a steadfast commitment to improving vision worldwide,” said Daniel McBride, Esq., executive vice president and chief operating officer at CooperCompanies and a board member of Optometry Giving Sight. “We remain strong supporters of Optometry Giving Sight and their mission to build sustainable optometry infrastructure in underserved communities around the world to enable vision care for all.”

To learn more about the World Sight Day Challenge and how to participate, click here.