Provide Sight to 10,000 Blind Children in Pakistan

LRBT (Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust) is Pakistan’s largest provider of free eye care for the poor and underserved. With 20 purpose-built hospitals and 63 primary eye care clinics spread across the country, LRBT treats over 3.3 million patients annually. Of these, 330,000 are children, from newborns to teenagers under 18 years.

For these young lives, blindness is not just a medical condition—it is a life sentence of disability, dependency, and destitution. But the tragedy is that although in most cases, childhood blindness is preventable or curable with timely medical intervention, most of these patients cannot afford simple treatments like a cataract surgery. Childhood blindness in Pakistan carries devastating consequences, not only robbing children of their future but also placing immense emotional and financial strain on their families, often at the expense of their livelihoods.Without treatment, blind children are denied the chance to learn, play, and integrate into society, leaving them trapped in a cycle of dependency. Amidst this harsh reality, LRBT stands as a beacon of hope—through its extensive nationwide network, it provides free, compassionate, and non-discriminatory eye care, giving children the gift of sight and a second chance at life.

Four-year-old Husnain was born with challenges few could endure. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, his parents were already struggling to provide physiotherapy and care beyond their means. When his mother noticed a white spot in his eyes, she brought him to LRBT North Karachi, where doctors diagnosed bilateral congenital cataracts—a condition that had gone unnoticed due to his other health challenges.

For parents already burdened with emotional and financial struggles, the news was devastating. But LRBT became their beacon of hope. He was referred to LRBT Korangi, where skilled surgeons carried out cataract surgeries in both eyes.

For the first time, Husnain began to see the world. Though unable to speak, his expressions told the story—eyes full of curiosity, joy, and newfound light. His parents were overwhelmed with gratitude:

“We couldn’t even afford therapy and other basic needs—we had lost hope. But LRBT gave our child the gift of sight and gave us the strength to keep going.”

Husnain’s journey is a testimony to the miracles made possible at LRBT. With the support of our partners and donors, LRBT will continue its mission to ensure that no child in Pakistan goes blind simply because they cannot afford treatment.

Each year, LRBT provides free eye care to 3 million people across Pakistan—including 300,000 children like Hussna. Through its GlobalGiving Project, LRBT aims to restore sight for 10,000 children, offering them a second chance at life, learning, and independence. A simple cataract surgery costing just $74 can have a lifelong impact on a child suffering from curable blindness.

Six-year-old Hussna is LRBT’s 59 millionth patient. Born in the remote village of Kashmore, Sindh, where access to basic healthcare is limited and financial hardship is a daily reality, Hussna lives in a humble, love-filled home with her parents, three siblings, and grandparents. Like most children in her village, her days were filled with simple joys—chasing chickens, laughing with her siblings, and helping with the family’s few animals. But one day, tragedy struck when a goat’s horn accidentally injured her right eye. Initially dismissed as a minor wound, the injury worsened over time. She began tilting her head to focus—an early sign that her vision was deteriorating.

Alarmed by the change in her behavior, her grandparents took her to LRBT’s Secondary Eye Hospital in Gambat. There, she was diagnosed with a traumatic cataract—a condition that needed urgent surgery to save her sight. She was referred to LRBT’s Korangi Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Karachi, home to Pakistan’s most advanced pediatric eye care unit.

Although the 600-kilometer journey to Karachi was challenging, her elderly grandparents made the trip, determined to get her the treatment she needed. At LRBT Korangi, Hussna underwent successful cataract surgery—completely free of cost. When the bandages came off, so did the clouds from her world. Her radiant smile and sparkling eyes told the whole story.

Today, Hussna is back in Kashmore—seeing clearly, playing freely, and embracing life with joy. Her journey is a powerful reminder of LRBT’s mission: that no one should go blind simply because they cannot afford treatment.

With your support, LRBT can continue to transform the lives of children like Hussna—giving them sight, dignity, and a brighter future.