12.1 million people receive free eye care
BRAC, in partnership with VisionSpring, reached a milestone on World Sight Day by restoring vision for 2.5 million through affordable glasses.
BY MAMUNUL HAQUE
On World Sight Day, celebrated on October 10, BRAC and VisionSpring commemorated a significant milestone. Over the past 18 years, our joint efforts have provided free eye care services to 12,102,183 people across Bangladesh. Among them, 2,461,676 individuals have regained their vision through the help of affordable glasses. These life-changing services have been made available since the launch of our partnership in 2006, covering 61 districts nationwide as of September this year.
World Sight Day highlights the critical need for eye care worldwide. Vision impairment hinders an individual’s productivity, education, and social inclusion. Yet, a simple solution—correctly powered glasses—can greatly enhance one’s quality of life. The Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods initiative, a joint effort by BRAC and VisionSpring, addresses these challenges by restoring normal vision and enabling individuals with vision problems to lead meaningful and productive lives.
What began as a pilot program in two sub-districts in Manikganj, Bangladesh has now expanded to 61 districts. Under this initiative, community health workers have been trained to conduct preliminary eye tests, distribute glasses, and refer complex cases to specialized doctors. Over 32,000 health workers are providing services to those suffering from vision problems.
As part of a long-term plan to provide affordable reading glasses to low-income elderly individuals, BRAC has been working jointly with VisionSpring since November 2023. To date, this initiative has reached approximately 5,000 people in areas such as Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, and Gopalganj, where free eye care has been provided. Nearly 3,500 individuals have received glasses at affordable rates. Notably, BRAC integrates health care services with its operations, prioritizing the health and well-being of its members while working to alleviate poverty.
Presbyopia, or the inability to see objects up close, is a significant public health issue in Bangladesh. Research conducted by BRAC and VisionSpring reveals that one in five people in the country suffer from this condition, the majority of whom are over 35 years of age. This silent epidemic also has a substantial economic impact. Moreover, treatable blindness remains a major challenge, with nearly 1% of people over 40 at risk. BRAC and VisionSpring continue to work together to combat these challenges.
Mamunul Haque is Head of External Communications for the Humanitarian Crisis Management Program at BRAC.