(From left to right) Dr Ivo Kocur, global coordinator of VISION 2020, Richard Meddings, group executive director of Standard Chartered Bank, John Major, former prime minister of UK and global ambassador for VISION 2020, and Richard Porter, director of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, pose for photographs 'Seeing Is Believing' programme. PHOTO: Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered has launched the next phase of its 'Seeing Is Believing' programme with the aim of making a difference to the lives of 10 million people by 'World Sight Day 2010'.

Seeing Is Believing, which has already raised more than $ 3 million to help contribute to one million sight restorations across the world, is a partnership within 'VISION 2020: The Right to Sight', says a press release.

In addition to $ 10 million pledged, the bank is offering each member of its 50,000 employees two days paid voluntary leave to give them the opportunity to work on Seeing Is Believing projects.

The programme will be delivered through a range of social, medical and community-based projects.

Mervyn Davies, group chief executive of Standard Chartered Bank, said, "Eliminating avoidable blindness doesn't take a miracle. It takes innovation, money, commitment, and good governance."