Our eyes are worth celebrating! The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) designate specific dates each year to remind us to show our eyes some love.
Let’s dive into 2025’s eye health and vision care calendar so you can decide the best ways to observe these special days!
January 2025
After welcoming the new year, the world celebrates World Braille Day on January 4th in honor of Louis Braille. He invented the global tactile writing code that allows those who can’t see letters to read and write. The day reminds us of the need for inclusivity for the visually impaired.
It’s also Glaucoma Awareness Month in the U.S., a reminder about one of the leading causes of blindness. Many ophthalmology organizations hold educational campaigns, community outreach, and free glaucoma screenings to mark the occasion.
February 2025
The second month of the year is all about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness. The macula is the center of the retina, and it may deteriorate with age, causing vision impairment or even loss. Early detection through regularly scheduled eye exams and smart lifestyle choices is key to lowering the risk of AMD.
February is also Low Vision Awareness Month. It is widely recognized with monthlong campaigns on empathy for the visually impaired and the need to enhance their quality of life through adaptive tools.
March 2025
This month has so much going on; it’s like March Madness for the eyes! For starters, March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month and Save Your Vision Month.
Workplace Eye Wellness promotes the responsibilities of both employers and employees in preventing workplace eye injuries, encouraging recommended eye safety practices and exams.
Save Your Vision Month reminds the general public to take proactive steps to improve their eye health. The celebration promotes lifestyle habits that benefit vision health, including regular eye exams.
World Glaucoma Week is observed from March 9th through the 15th. This initiative, organized by the World Glaucoma Association, aims to raise global awareness about the progressive and often hereditary eye condition.
Optometry has its own day on the ophthalmology calendar: March 23rd! World Optometry Day celebrates the profession’s role in eye care and recognizes the eye doctors and other professionals we rely on for check-ups and vision correction.
April 2025
In April, the focus shifts to the unique circumstances women face when it comes to eye health. It’s Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, so women are encouraged to learn about lifestyle choices affecting their vision, including hormonal fluctuations and a higher prevalence of dry eye syndrome, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma.
According to the World Health Organization, April 7th is also World Health Day. The day promotes healthcare access for everyone and the importance of health as a foundation of general well-being. Eye health is a part of this and shouldn’t be neglected.
May 2025
May is Healthy Vision Month, and it’s all about daily habits that care for and protect your eyes. During the entire month, eye professionals campaign for lifestyle adjustments, like limiting screen time and wearing sunglasses, that make a long-term positive difference to your eye health.
June 2025
Eyewear has a day, and it’s June 6th! National Eyewear Day highlights the importance of appropriate eyewear, from eyeglasses to sunglasses, sports glasses to safety goggles. It provides vision correction and protection, and while style isn’t a primary motivator, if you’re a fashionista, take this time to show off those specs!
June 20th is Nystagmus Awareness Day. Nystagmus refers to the involuntary movements of the eye due to several possible causes, including neurological conditions and alcohol use. The day tries to increase public awareness and understanding of the condition.
Additionally, this is Cataract Awareness Month. The public is encouraged to learn more about cataracts, including symptoms, treatment, and risk factors such as age and sun exposure. With early intervention and lifestyle changes, this condition can be preventable.
Finally, June is Fireworks Eye Safety Month. This campaign seeks to raise awareness of the potential dangers of observing and handling fireworks. It is a timely promotion as it prepares everyone for July 4th celebrations.
July 2025
Individuals with different-colored eyes have a day! July 12th is National Different-Colored Eyes Day, which honors heterochromia. Jeanne Quinn of B Able, Inc. founded the day to celebrate the uniqueness of people with this condition.
July is also UV Safety Awareness Month and National Dry Eye Awareness Month. These two month-long events focus on taking preventive action to protect the eyes from damage.
The public is encouraged to wear sunglasses to shield their eyes from harmful UV rays, take steps to diagnose dry eyes, and focus on effective treatment.
August 2025
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. A monthlong educational campaign concentrates on children’s eye health conditions, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).
It’s also National Eye Exam Month, so everyone is encouraged to make visits to the optometrist part of their wellness routine. Even if you don’t currently suffer from any eye condition or have a predisposition to vision loss due to a medical condition (e.g., diabetes or high blood pressure), you should check in with your doctor to ensure you’re on the best exam schedule for you!
Contact lens wearers have a designated week to focus on safe contact lens practices to prevent infections and complications. Contact Lens Health Week is from August 18th through the 25th.
September 2025
September is peak season on the ophthalmology calendar! Back to school is in full effect, and while summer sports like cycling and baseball are winding down, football is kicking off. It’s the perfect time for Sports Eye Safety Month.
Whatever sports you’re into as a player or fan, keep your eyes safe from sports-related injury. Wear protective eyewear and follow safety protocols during games.
National Eye Health Week takes place at the end of the month, between September 23rd and 29th. Get ready for lots of messaging centered on tips and strategies for keeping your eyes in tip-top shape.
October 2025
October 9th is World Sight Day. On this day, we focus on vision impairment and loss as well as the need for universal access to eye care. Everyone involved is encouraged to promote vision health awareness and initiatives.
October is also Eye Injury Prevention Month. This campaign raises awareness of the risks that lead to eye injuries and preventive action, such as wearing protective eyewear.
Visually impaired individuals are honored and supported through a Blindness Awareness Month campaign that raises awareness of their challenges and needs and promotes inclusivity initiatives within communities and organizations.
Contact Lens Safety Month promotes the proper purchase, use, and maintenance of contact lenses. It is timed perfectly with Halloween, when cosplay and colored contact lenses become especially popular.
November 2025
November isn’t just for Thanksgiving! Eye health professionals designate the whole month as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.
Diabetes affects more than 8 million Americans over 40. It is a disease that affects eye health, so be aware and act. Early detection is key to managing the adverse effects diabetes can have on your eyes.
December 2025
The year aptly ends with Gift of Sight Month! Just in time for the gift-giving holidays, eye health professionals urge everyone to reflect on their visual health and not to take eyesight for granted.
Ongoing reminders to adopt healthy habits and get regular eye exams ring loud. As we close 2025, remember to thank your eyes for the gift of sight by caring for them!
