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Cataract

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Over 2.2 billion people around the world are impacted by blindness

75% of all blindness is curable or preventable, and yet millions of vulnerable people continue to live in darkness. Blindness is a direct cause of poverty as it prevents people from working, going to school, and impacts their contributions to society.

A leading cause of blindness is cataracts. Cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye, which is usually clear. The clouding begins to affect vision, and if left untreated can result in complete loss of sight. Cataracts are easily curable, whereby the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear one. Despite the simple procedure, many people living in impoverished communities do not have access to quality healthcare.

Al Mustafa is providing free cataract surgeries, screenings and testing to people from impoverished backgrounds around the world. Since 2010, we have carried out an incredible 278,112 free cataract surgeries - giving the gift of sight to those in need.

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Our Sight Restoration Program & Eye Camps

As part of our Eye Restoration Program, we conduct eye camps across the world where our teams of volunteer expert doctors travel to far-flung communities to treat those in need.

We aim to reach those most in need and those who do not have access to specialist healthcare. At an eye camp, we screen hundreds of people, perform operations, and check for general health issues. We also distribute glasses and offer advice. For those people who need cataract surgery, we conduct these within a few days, providing accommodation and food to those who require surgery.

As many people travel far and wide to attend our eye camps, we also offer accommodation and support to them as well as their families who accompanied them.

We also have a dedicated eye hospital in Pakistan where we provide high-quality specialist support for free, saving and restoring sight for hundreds of people each day. Since 2010, we have carried out over 278,112 cataract surgeries for those in need.

How do we conduct our camps?

We conduct our eye camps in the following way:
  • We advertise in local newspapers, TV stations, community centres and the radio in advance so we make sure as many people are aware as possible.
  • We carry out screening services to determine who require glasses, medication, surgery or further hospital referrals.
  • Those who require surgery and are healthy undergo further testing for Diabetes, Blood Pressure, HIV and Hepatitis B & C
  • Patients undergo surgery and are provided with accommodation and food during this time.
  • The following day, check-ups are carried out and bandages are removed. If there are no complications, patients are allowed to go home
  • One week later, a follow-up camp is organised whereby surgeons can ensure patients are recovering well and that eyesight is fully restored.

Global eye care facts

278,112

Cataract surgeries

1,237,644

Eyeglasses distributed

2,403

Global eye camps

1,943,034

OPD screenings

691,492

Hepatitis screening

18,452

Children with disabilities supported to attend school

902

School base eye camps

1542

People with disabilities supported in business

Our Achievements

Al Mustafa is leading the fight against blindness

Our first eye camps took place in 2010 in Pakistan, where our eye camps were the first of their kind. Since then, we have expanded to delivering eye camps all over Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Since 2010, we have conducted over 278,112 cataract surgeries for people living in poverty across nine countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Palestine, Kenya, and South Sudan.

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Help provide people with the treatment they need.

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Our Sight Restoration Program & Eye Camps

The early years of Al Mustafa 2008 – 2010

2008 – 2010

Taking Sight to the Doorstep

Proud to be the first charity in Pakistan to deploy mobile eye camps across rural communities. Bringing sight directly to those who need it most. 6,800 life-changing surgeries delivered.

The 2011 – 2014 of Al Mustafa®

2011 – 2014

Crossing Borders, Restoring Vision

Expanded across borders into Bangladesh, Burma, Gaza, Somalia, Gambia & South Sudan — building a global route of sight restoration. 41,700 cataract surgeries completed.

The 2015 – 2018 of Al Mustafa®

2015 – 2018

prevention, Protection & Scale

Delivered 36,000 eyeglasses to children in schools — improving learning, confidence, and classroom performance. Launched trachoma screening programmes, prescribing 12,000 treatments to infected patients. Strengthened surgical capacity, completing 74,639 sight-restoring surgeries.

The 2019 – 2020 of Al Mustafa®

2019 – 2020

A Landmark in Care

Delivered 100,000 free cataract surgeries, restoring sight at unprecedented scale. Launched our first specialist eye hospital in Lahore, strengthening long-term clinical care and training capacity.

The 2021 – 2022 of Al Mustafa®

2021 – 2022

Reaching the Next Generation

Cataract surgery impact reached 173,184 surgeries, transforming lives at scale. Launched school-based eye screening clinics for children, enabling early detection and long-term vision protection.

The 2022 – 2025 of Al Mustafa®

2022 – 2025

Building a Lasting Legacy

Total cataract surgeries reached 278,112, marking continued global impact. Expanded specialist eye care by starting glaucoma surgeries, broadening treatment beyond cataracts. Opened a state-of-the-art hospital in Mansehra, providing comprehensive care including ophthalmology services. Plans are underway to build another dedicated eye hospital in Dadyal, Kashmir to further strengthen long-term eye care infrastructure.

Our Eye Camps in Asia,
Africa & Middle East

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