#Portugal #Lisbon #Lions Clubs #Champalimaud Award #The Fred Hollows

The António Champalimaud Vision Award 2025

The António Champalimaud Vision Award, the most prestigious recognition in the field of vision, is valued at a remarkable €1 million. This award honors extraordinary contributions to the prevention and treatment of blindness, emphasizing scientific excellence, global impacts, and a dedication to equitable eye care. The 2025 recipients include three exemplary organizations: The Fred Hollows Foundation, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

The Fred Hollows Foundation

Founded in 1992, The Fred Hollows Foundation has dedicated itself to restoring sight in marginalized communities around the globe. With a focus on partnership with indigenous groups, notably the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, the Foundation has achieved a significant impact by restoring vision to over 3 million individuals. Moreover, it has conducted more than 560,000 surgeries and distributed 178,000 pairs of glasses. Notably, they have also trained over 66,000 eye health workers, emphasizing sustainable practices in eye care.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)

LCIF has pioneered efforts to provide essential eye health services across 118 countries, reaching more than 544 million people worldwide. Their SightFirst program has played a vital role in preventing severe vision loss, conducting over 10,500 cataract surgeries and 54,000 eye examinations in just 2024. Additionally, more than 2.6 million eye health professionals have been trained under their guidance, and they have established over 1,700 eye care centers, highlighting their commitment to expanding access to health services.

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

As the leading global platform for eye health, the IAPB brings together over 250 member organizations from more than 100 countries. Its strategic role in advocacy, policy-making, and partnership promotion has significantly contributed to the global eye health agenda. The organization's efforts have led to a remarkable 66% increase in membership over the past decade. One of its latest initiatives includes the establishment of standard guidelines for Comprehensive School Eye Health Programmes, potentially impacting over 700 million children.

Recognizing Global Impact

The Champalimaud Foundation's announcement regarding the 2025 laureates reflects a growing recognition of innovative and impactful approaches to eye health and blindness prevention. This award not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires ongoing efforts in the quest for equitable eye care for all, addressing a significant global health issue. The combined work of The Fred Hollows Foundation, LCIF, and IAPB exemplifies how collaborative action can effectively address challenges in eye health, helping millions around the globe.

The António Champalimaud Vision Award continues to set a high standard in the field, encouraging organizations to innovate and work collaboratively toward a world where sight is no longer a privilege but a fundamental right. Through such recognition, we are reminded of the collective power of dedicated individuals and organizations striving for a brighter future for all, one where everyone has access to the eye care they need.

For more details on the award and its recipients, visit Champalimaud Foundation.