By Huzaifa Kermani | CMO
Restoring Sight, Reclaiming Independence
Project Report | October 2026
By Huzaifa Kermani | Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
When Blindness Has a Treatment, But Not Everyone Has Access
For thousands of vulnerable Pakistanis, cataracts can gradually take away the ability to work, read, move independently, and recognize loved ones. Yet cataract-related vision loss is often treatable through a relatively straightforward surgical procedure.
In February 2026, the World Health Organization reported that approximately 94 million people worldwide live with cataract-related vision impairment or blindness. WHO also estimates that one in two people globally who need cataract surgery cannot access it.
The Cost of Sight in Pakistan
Financial barriers remain a significant obstacle. The Pakistan National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology in 2007, found that 76.1% of surveyed patients with severe cataract-related vision loss identified cost as their primary barrier to surgery.
A subsequent 2020 population-based study involving Lahore and four other international locations also identified disparities in surgical access, with women in Lahore experiencing lower cataract surgical coverage than men.
These findings reinforce the importance of affordable, accessible eye care, particularly for financially vulnerable patients and underserved communities.
Our Commitment at Fatima Memorial Hospital
Through this project, Fatima Memorial Hospital provides free cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation to patients who cannot afford treatment.
In our April 2026 update, we reported 150 free cataract surgeries, two three-day community screening camps, and additional support through post-operative care and transportation assistance.
Our next objective remains to extend free surgical treatment to another 150 deserving patients, supported by continued screening, follow-up care, and outreach to underserved communities.
Help Us Bring Sight Back
According to the project's published donation options:
A successful cataract operation can restore more than vision. It can help someone regain independence, reconnect with family, and return to everyday activities.
Support Giving Sight to the Cataract Blind
Thank you for standing with Fatima Memorial Hospital and helping us work towards a future where poverty does not determine who has the opportunity to see again.
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