LRBT’s 40-Year Journey: Saving Sight & Transforming Lives

Maqbool Ahmed’s life was marked by hardship from an early age. Orphaned at just 12, he carried the responsibility of raising his siblings apart from his own struggles. Amidst the loss of his parents and sunk in poverty, another tragedy unfolded: severe eye allergies that led to blurred vision and eventually corneal opacity in both eyes.

As his sight deteriorated, so did the compassion of those around him. In Pakistan, where visual impairment often leads to social exclusion, Maqbool was labelled as “Aandha” by neighbors, friends and even his relatives. At work he was ridiculed, and made to feel like a burden, ultimately losing his job as a Tailor. His confidence shattered, with no source of income, he began isolating himself; afraid to step outside in case he bumped into someone while walking, and facing further humiliation.

Yet, through the darkness, one constant ray of encouragement remained: his wife. She stood by him, encouraging him not to give up. Her support became his lifeline, and because of her Maqbool finally sought help at LRBT’s Korangi Hospital in Karachi. There, he was registered for a corneal transplant. Thanks to the generosity of APPNA (Association of Pakistani Physicians in North America) who donated the Corneal Tissue he underwent the life-changing surgery.

The moment his bandages were removed is one Maqbool will never forget. His face lit up in awe as light returned to his world. For the first time, he saw clearly the faces of his wife and daughter – faces he had known only as blurred outlines. “I have lived a good part of my life in darkness, unable to recognize even the faces of my loved ones,” he said. “Today, for the first time, I see them clearly. I have no words to thank LRBT for giving me back the gift of sight.”

From being dismissed as “useless” to working once again with skill and pride, Maqbool’s life has been transformed. Today, he is employed as a tailor master in a garment company and runs a side hustle to support his family. With his earnings, he pays his household expenses and provides for his loved ones.

Maqbool was LRBT’s 60 millionth patient. His story is a testament to the Trust’s mission: to ensure that “no man, woman, or child in Pakistan should go blind simply because they cannot afford treatment”.

This year also, marks LRBT’s 40 years of service: growing from a humble Mobile unit in lower Sindh to a network of 20 eye hospitals & 63 clinics covering 80% of Pakistan’s population. Every single day, over 10,000 patients walk through the doors of LRBT’s 83 facilities, and over 1,000 surgeries are performed free of cost in its 20 hospitals spread all across Pakistan. making LRBT one of the largest free eye care providers in the world. In its 40 years of service it has treated 60 million patients including 5.9 million surgeries.

LRBT’s 40th anniversary coincides with World Sight Day and, its impact resonates louder than ever.

To commemorate the World Sight Day every year, LRBT launches an awareness campaign. Activities include free screening camps across Pakistan, school-based programs to educate children about eye health, a media appearances and digital storytelling to highlight the transformative power of sight.

Reflecting on the occasion, Mr. Najmus Saquib Hameed, Chairman of LRBT, remarked:
“As we complete 40 years of service, LRBT stands tall as a beacon of hope for the poor & disadvantaged people of Pakistan. Maqbool’s story is just one among millions, but it reminds us why our mission matters. On this World Sight Day, we reaffirm our pledge that no one in this country will be deprived of sight simply because they cannot afford it. This is not just about restoring vision; it is about restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope.”

Maqbool Ahmed has witnessed LRBT’s promise turning into reality. Each morning, as he sits behind his sewing machine, he threads not just exquisite dresses, but also hope for others suffering from eye conditions. His story is proof that with timely intervention, restored sight brings dignity, and with LRBT, comes the promise of inclusive, accessible and equitable eye care for all.