ISLAMABAD: While the World Sight Day is being observed on Thursday, findings from 2020 show there were around 26 million people living with vision impairment in Pakistan.
Yet an increase in investment in eye care could generate $709 million in economic benefits for the country.
To mark the day, Sightsavers organised a range of activities through its eye health programmes. These included providing eye care services at non-formal education schools in Islamabad, with a focus on vision and hearing screening alongside general health assessments; community awareness walks promoting eye health; eye screening services for truckers throughout October, and awareness sessions in schools, where children were also invited to create their own “eye creations.”
These activities come as global attention on eye health builds ahead of the first Global Summit for Eye Health, which will be held in November, hosted by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
It will bring together global leaders to secure commitments that support people with avoidable vision impairment including cataract and refractive errors.
Sightsavers has called on government, donors and private and public sectors in Pakistan to scale up investment in cataract surgery and glasses, and to equally invest in digital accessibility for people with visual impairment. Good eye care enables children to learn, adults to work and boosts productivity.
“Improving eye care is a health imperative, but it is also an economic opportunity. Research from IAPB, Seva Foundation and Fred Hollows Foundation estimates that if Pakistan increases investment in eye care by 2030, it could generate US$709 million in economic benefits. IAPB data also shows that early intervention in child vision impairment in the country could increase a child’s lifetime earnings by 57 percent,” it stated.
The impact of access to eye care is seen through the story of Zayn and Saira, siblings from Gilgit. Both had uncorrected refractive error which was diagnosed in the school health integrated programme when a teacher screened their eyes. The early diagnosis at school helped them get the spectacles they needed and therefore perform better in studies and other activities.
“Despite the proven benefits, eye care remains overlooked in many health and development plans, particularly among the communities disproportionally affected by vision issues. More than 85pc of people with vision impairment live in low and middle income countries. Women and girls also account for more than half of people living with visual impairment,” it stated.
Munazza Gillani, Director Pakistan and Middle East at Sightsavers, said: “The solutions already exist. Glasses, cataract surgery and stronger eye care systems can transform lives, yet too many people still cannot access the support they need.”
The Global Summit for Eye Health is an opportunity for governments, donors, private and public sectors to turn commitments into action so more people can learn, work and participate fully in society.
“In support of this, we commit to work with governments and partners to strengthen health services, save and protect sight, and help more people live full, independent lives.”
“This will include supporting eye health professionals, bringing services closer to communities, and ensuring vision and eye care is part of health, education, livelihood and road safety programmes.”
Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026
