Restore sight for 1,500 women in Pakistan.

LRBT believes that sight is a fundamental right and that no person should be deprived of quality eye care because of poverty, gender, or geographic location. Through this project, LRBT aims to restore vision for 1,500 underprivileged women across Pakistan, ensuring they have equal access to life-changing eye care services free of cost.

Inclusive eye care means creating opportunities for every individual to receive the treatment they need, regardless of their financial circumstances. In Pakistan, where many women often receive lower priority when it comes to healthcare, nutrition, and personal well-being, LRBT is working to bridge this gap by ensuring that women are not left behind. Through its extensive network of 20 hospitals and 64 primary eye care clinics spread across the country, LRBT provides accessible and comprehensive eye care to communities in need.

LRBT treats over 3.3 million patients annually, out of which more than 1.7 million are women from extremely poor backgrounds. Women represent 52% of LRBT’s patient base, reflecting the organization’s commitment to gender-inclusive healthcare. These women are not only mothers and caregivers but also active contributors to society, working as farm laborers, artisans, teachers, lady health visitors, and providers of essential care within their families and communities. Restoring their sight creates an impact that extends far beyond the individual—it strengthens families, improves livelihoods, and enables communities to thrive.

Aasiya’s story reflects the transformative power of accessible eye care. A 28-year-old mother of a one-year-old son, Aasiya’s life revolved around caring for her child and managing her household. Belonging to a financially struggling family, accessing quality healthcare was a constant challenge. Over time, she developed severe vision problems that made everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for her young son increasingly difficult and unsafe.

Her deteriorating eyesight brought emotional distress and anxiety, particularly because she feared she would not be able to properly care for her child. Private treatment was beyond the family’s financial means, leaving her with limited options.

With the support of well-wishers, Aasiya reached LRBT Chiniot, where she received a comprehensive eye examination and diagnostic assessment. LRBT’s medical team identified her condition and recommended surgery. After completing the necessary pre-operative procedures, Aasiya successfully underwent treatment and received post-operative care.

The results were life-changing. Her vision improved significantly, allowing her to regain her independence, confidence, and ability to care for her son without fear or difficulty. The burden on her family was reduced, and she was able to resume her role as a mother and caregiver with renewed hope.

Providing free eye care to women like Aasiya means more than restoring sight—it means restoring dignity, independence, and opportunity. When women can see clearly, they can care for themselves, support their families, pursue education and employment, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Through this project, LRBT is ensuring that poor women across Pakistan are not defined by their circumstances but empowered to reclaim their futures through the gift of sight.

Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) is on a mission to ensure that no man, woman, or child goes blind simply because they cannot afford treatment. Since its inception in 1985, LRBT has provided free, high-quality eye care to more than 61 million patients across Pakistan. Through a nationwide network of20 hospitals,and 63 primary eye care centers, LRBT reaches underserved communities, delivering services without discrimination of gender, geography, ethnicity, or ability to pay.

Each year, 3.3 million underprivileged Pakistanis receive treatment at LRBT facilities, with women accounting for 51% of patients—nearly 1.7 million women annually. Despite this reach, women from low-income households remain especially vulnerable to preventable blindness. Financial constraints, social norms, caregiving responsibilities, and limited mobility often force women to delay or forgo medical care. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness among women in Pakistan, yet timely surgery can fully restore sight and independence.

Through the project “Restoring Sight for 1,500 Women in Pakistan,” LRBT will provide free cataract surgeries and comprehensive eye care to 1,500 underprivileged women. Each patient will receive screening and diagnosis, surgery performed by qualified ophthalmologists, post-operative medication, and follow-up care. All services will be delivered entirely free of cost, ensuring that poverty never becomes a barrier to sight-saving treatment. By restoring vision, this project will enable women to return to work, care for their families, and participate fully in their communities.

Reshma’s story reflects the transformative impact of this work. At just 20 years old, she lived in growing darkness as cataracts clouded her vision. Born into poverty with no access to healthcare, she once stitched clothes and embroidered to support her family and help her brother Juman, the sole earner in their household. As her sight faded, her independence disappeared. She could no longer work or contribute and began to feel like a burden. “I felt like a burden. I couldn’t see, couldn’t help… I stopped dreaming,” she recalls.

It was Reshma’s sister-in-law who refused to give up hope and took her to a Primary Eye Care Center, where she was diagnosed and referred to LRBT for surgery. Thanks to donor support, Reshma underwent free cataract surgery. When the bandage was removed, her life changed instantly. “When I opened my eyes, it felt like I was born again. I could see my mother’s smile. I saw color. I saw hope.”

Today, Reshma is back at her sewing machine, earning an income and supporting her family with confidence and pride. Her restored sight has given her independence, dignity, and purpose. By restoring sight to 1,500 women like Reshma, this project will strengthen families, improve livelihoods, and break cycles of poverty. Every surgery is more than a medical procedure—it is a life transformed.