Three Global Organizations Honored with the António Champalimaud Vision Award 2025 Worth One Million Euros

António Champalimaud Vision Award 2025

On September 12, 2025, the Champalimaud Foundation announced the acclaimed winners of the António Champalimaud Vision Award, a prestigious honor reflecting commitment to eye health and global vision equity. With a prize pool of one million euros, this award celebrates organizations that exemplify scientific excellence and impactful humanitarian efforts.

This year, the award was conferred upon three prominent institutions: the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Each of these organizations has made significant strides in the field of vision correction and prevention of blindness.

The Fred Hollows Foundation

Founded in 1992, the Fred Hollows Foundation has been a beacon of hope for marginalized communities across over 25 countries in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The foundation has successfully restored sight to more than three million people through its extensive healthcare initiatives and surgical interventions, performing over 560,000 operations. Moreover, it has distributed upwards of 178,000 pairs of eyeglasses and trained more than 66,000 healthcare workers globally, emphasizing its commitment to equitable access to vision care, particularly for Aboriginal Australians and other underserved populations.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)

The LCIF's SightFirst program is lauded for its extensive reach, having delivered essential eye care services to over 544 million individuals in 118 countries. This program has trained over 2.6 million vision care professionals and supported the establishment of over 1,700 eye care centers, preventing severe vision loss in approximately 30 million people. In 2024 alone, LCIF facilitated more than 10,500 cataract surgeries and conducted 54,000 eye examinations, showcasing its impactful contributions to public health.

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

IAPB plays a crucial role in shaping global eye health agendas and improving systemic care. As a collaborative platform comprising over 250 member organizations across more than 100 countries, IAPB has significantly influenced policy and advocacy efforts in eye health. The agency's strategic initiatives include developing comprehensive school eye health programs, which could potentially benefit over 700 million children worldwide. Remarkably, IAPB has seen a 66% increase in its membership in the past decade, underscoring its vital leadership role in enhancing awareness and prevention efforts.

The António Champalimaud Vision Award is not just a recognition but a reminder of the ongoing struggle against preventable blindness and the urgent need for equitable access to eye care. The work done by these esteemed recipients exemplifies how collective action can lead to profound changes in public health on a global scale. Addressing issues of vision equity remains a priority, and this award celebrates the incredible efforts made by those who work tirelessly in this field.

For more information about the António Champalimaud Vision Award, please visit Champalimaud Foundation.