KARACHI: LRBT, the largest free eye-care network in Pakistan, has reached another milestone of treating its 50 millionth patient, 28-year-old Shabbir.

According to a press release, Shabbir, a fruit seller, is the sole bread earner of the household of eight. His father was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He went to work at 6am and returned at 8pm, after that he was his father’s constant companion.

He was so involved in caring for his father that he scarcely noticed that his vision would get blurred at times and as the months passed he was unable to see at all from his right eye and had limited vision in his left.

His mother finally convinced him to go to a local clinic and get it checked where he was diagnosed with cataract in both eyes and advised immediate surgery. Luckily, a friend told him about LRBT Korangi Hospital and its free eye care services for the poor.

Shabbir had a successful surgery and is back at work now, the statement said.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2022