To celebrate World Sight Day, Orbis, the international eyecare charity, hosted an intimate breakfast event this morning at the historic St Pancras London Hotel, situated in King’s Cross. The gathering brought together high-profile people from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and the arts, as well as content creators and medical experts, to highlight the issue of avoidable sight loss and the ongoing work to ensure everyone has access to eyecare.
Guests included bestselling author, broadcaster and charity campaigner Katie Piper OBE, Escape to the Country presenter Sonali Shah, actress and comedian Nina Wadia OBE and Great British Sewing Bee 2023 winner Dr Asmaa Al-Allak, and a host of other stars.
Alongside Katie Piper OBE, the event welcomed content creators with lived experience of visual impairment, including visually impaired content creator Sylvia Chengo, and best-selling author and disability activist Dr Amit Patel, who joined fellow advocates to highlight the need for eyecare to be accessible all around the world.
Attendees heard from Orbis spokespeople, including expert ophthalmologists and trustees of the charity Sheraz Daya, the founder of the Centre for Sight, and John Ferris, about the 1.1 billion people living with vision loss, and the charity’s innovative approaches to providing treatment for those in need.
Guests had their irises photographed at Orbis’s pop-up iris photography stand in King’s Cross Station. Each iris, beautiful and intricate, is a reminder of just how precious sight is - and why Orbis is dedicated to protecting it all around the world. The photography stand is open to the public until Friday 10 October and participants can have their iris photographed from just £16.
Katie Piper OBE, said: “Access to quality eyecare can be truly life-changing, it allows people to regain independence, confidence and connection with the world around them. The work of skilled and compassionate medical professionals, like the ones who supported me, reminds us how vital it is to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to the same level of care.
“This World Sight Day, I’m supporting Orbis UK in their mission to help communities and children globally who deserve that same gift – ensuring that people across the globe can access the quality eyecare when and where they need it.
“No-one should feel isolated or left behind because of limited access to eyecare, surgery and treatment. Together we can help break the cycle of preventable vision loss.”
Sonali Shah, said: “World Sight Day is a time to reflect on the vital importance of accessible eye care and treatment across the globe. I know how important it is, especially for women and young people, to have the care and support they need to thrive. In India, Orbis is doing exactly that - supporting local doctors to provide life-changing care and treatment for thousands of women and children. It's amazing to be part of a campaign that has lasting impact for communities, also offering training opportunities for the country's next generation of female eye health doctors.”
Nina Wadia OBE, said: “Our sight is often something we take for granted. Yet millions of people are living with vision loss that could be prevented. I’m proud to support Orbis and their mission to make eyecare available everywhere, for everyone - because restoring sight doesn’t just change an individual’s life, it transforms families and communities for generations to come.”
Colman Cawe, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Orbis UK, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Sonali, Nina, Katie and all the wonderful supporters who joined us today to shine a light on avoidable sight loss. Their voices help us to raise vital awareness of the 1.1 billion people living with vision loss, of which 90% of cases are avoidable. By standing alongside Orbis, they are helping us inspire others to take action, and support sight-saving work that can transform lives.”
Why it Matters
World Sight Day, observed on the second Thursday of October, focuses global attention on blindness and visual impairment. Today, 1.1 billion people live with vision loss – yet 90% of cases are preventable or treatable with simple solutions like glasses, surgery, or medicine costing less than £1. Most affected people live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to care is often out of reach. This year’s theme, #LoveYourEyes, is brought to life through Orbis’s Iris Campaign, with each iris reflecting how we see, learn and connect with the world. It is a vivid reminder of why protecting sight matters – and the role we can all play in ensuring no one loses theirs due to lack of care.
Every iris photograph supports Orbis to change lives – it could help fund a sight-saving surgery, deliver medicine to protect the eyes of an entire community, or train a local doctor in Africa or Asia to restore sight for those who might otherwise go blind. Join the Iris Campaign today and help give the gift of sight:
