Our work in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of untreated cataracts worldwide. In 2021, Sightsavers helped to screen more than 835,000 people for eye conditions.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, yet it has one of the highest rates of untreated cataracts worldwide.
Extreme poverty and a lack of awareness about health issues mean more than half a million people are thought to be blind as a result of cataracts.
Our work in Bangladesh focuses on screening people to diagnose eye problems, providing sight tests to check for refractive error, and supporting cataract operations to restore vision.
We also help to train volunteer community health workers, and run inclusive programmes to make sure people with disabilities have equal access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
How we’re making a difference in Bangladesh
Treating cataracts
Arif received Sightsavers-funded cataract surgery as a young child. Fifteen years later we caught up with Arif, now working as a driver, to see how his life was transformed.
Read Arif'story
Disability rights
As part of the Inclusive Futures initiative, we're working with BBC Media Action to train journalists to change the way people with disabilities are portrayed.
Read about the project
Reaching everyone
People with disabilities often miss out on health care in Bangladesh. Meet Jalil and Ayesha, who travel house to house, to ensure everyone gets the support they need.
Read their story
Your donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from Bangladesh
“Now I know what a gift sight is”
Arif’s life changed when he had two cataract operations at five years old. We've been following his journey since then, from completing his education to finding work as a driver.
It started with a tuk-tuk: Shamima’s story
Shamima, who has hearing and speech impairments, was able to access vital treatment after her sister heard about Sightsavers’ free eye camps.
“Now we can get the help we need”
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Right to Health project worked with transgender communities to remove the barriers they face when accessing inclusive eye health services.
“Every day is women’s day when you cherish women’s dignity”
Asma is project manager for Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health project in Bangladesh, which is breaking down the barriers women face when accessing eye care services.
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Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to restart our work quickly and safely. Sightsavers staff reveal our how eye care programmes have evolved in the past 18 months.
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