This International Women’s Day, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation celebrates the women who have shaped the vision care industry, honoring the pioneers of yesterday, uplifting the leaders of today and empowering the women of tomorrow.

Their contributions have transformed access to eye care, broken down barriers and are actively creating opportunities for women globally.

Honoring the Women of Yesterday

The groundwork of modern vision care was built by pioneering women who defied societal norms to make their mark.

Among them is Dr. Gertrude Stanton, a trailblazer in optometry and one of the first women to earn a degree in the field. Dr. Stanton’s dedication to advancing eye care and her advocacy for women in optometry paved the way for future generations of female professionals.

Dr. Gertrude Stanton

Another notable figure is Dr. Patricia Bath, who in 1973 became the first African American to complete an ophthalmology residency at New York University. She co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, championing the belief that "eyesight is a basic human right." She pioneered community ophthalmology, bringing eye care to underserved populations, and later, she revolutionized cataract treatment with her invention of the Laserphaco Probe, becoming the first Black woman physician to receive a U.S. medical patent.

Dr. Patricia Bath

Both women’s work, along with many inspiring women decades ago, revolutionized the field and set the stage for the women of today and tomorrow.

Uplifting the Women of Today

Today, women continue to drive progress in vision care as professionals, advocates and entrepreneurs.

The Foundation’s Eye Rafiki program exemplifies this impact. In Kenya, 56% of Eye Rafikis are women entrepreneurs who work to provide affordable glasses and vision screenings to their communities, addressing gender inequity and improving access to essential healthcare services.

Eye Rafiki

Additionally, one of the Foundation’s core pillars is driving advocacy and awareness by collaborating with government officials, ambassadors, and industry leaders to create large-scale change. Several of these influential figures are inspiring women who champion vision care awareness. These women work to shift perceptions about eye health, foster connections between organizations, groups, and governmental bodies, and ensure that vision care is recognized as an essential part of overall well-being.

Throughout the month, we will be highlighting the remarkable women who shape the world around them. From those at the forefront of vision care to those quietly making a difference in their families and communities, we will share their unique perspectives, their hopes for the future of vision care, and their advice for other women in the industry.

Patricia Koh

Be sure to stay tuned to our social channels as we celebrate these women’s valuable contributions and insights.

Empowering the Women of Tomorrow

Two girls

The future of vision care lies in equipping the next generation with the tools they need to thrive. For women and girls, access to glasses can be life changing.

Research shows that 74% of women in low-income communities cite poor vision as a barrier to work and education (World Health Organization, 2021).

For school-aged girls, glasses improve academic performance, confidence, and participation in daily activities. Studies indicate that corrected vision can increase a child’s learning outcomes by the equivalent of half a year of schooling (World Bank, 2020).

By providing glasses to young girls, we are investing in the women of tomorrow, ensuring they can reach their full potential.

Building a Brighter Future Together

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who have shaped the vision care industry and continue to inspire change.

From the pioneers who paved the way to the entrepreneurs and advocates making an impact today, and the young girls who will lead tomorrow, their contributions remind us that when women thrive, communities thrive.

Together, we are building a future where everyone, everywhere, has access to the vision care they need to succeed.

_{World Health Organization (2021). Vision impairment and blindness.}

_{World Bank (2020). The impact of vision care on education and economic outcomes.}

Celebrating Women in Vision Care: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Present and Inspiring the Future

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