BRAC Bank’s eyecare initiatives transforming lives and communities

Clear vision is a fundamental human need—essential for work, a better livelihood, and an improved quality of life. Yet, for many across Bangladesh, poor eyesight silently limits opportunities, liberty, and dignity.
BRAC Bank has tirelessly addressed this challenge to ensure that vision is never a barrier to progress. Through its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Aporajeyo Ami, the bank has collaborated with VisionSpring and Grameen Healthcare Services Limited to provide free screenings and glasses and facilitate cataract surgeries, transforming lives in factories, rural communities, and beyond.

BRAC Bank's commitment to vision care is all-encompassing, reaching beyond a single demographic or profession. From ready-made garment (RMG) workers to underserved communities in rural Bangladesh, its initiatives touch lives across social and economic spectrums, making everyone feel valued and included.

With VisionSpring, the bank has tackled a major yet often overlooked crisis in the workforce. Uncorrected poor vision leads to decreased productivity, financial exclusion, and a deteriorating quality of life. Since October 2024, the initiative has screened 15,625 workers, with an astounding 84% having never worn glasses. Nearly 6,000 workers, predominantly women, have received corrective eyewear, allowing them to work more accurately and efficiently, boosting both personal earnings and industrial output.

But BRAC Bank's vision for impact doesn't stop at the factory floor. Recognising that eye health is a nationwide challenge, the bank has expanded its reach through Grameen Healthcare, delivering life-changing interventions in underserved areas.

Between February and March 2025 alone, with BRAC Bank's support, Grameen Healthcare has conducted 718 cataract surgeries, restoring vision to those at risk of permanent blindness, as well as 53 additional critical eye surgeries. A total of 240 individuals have received spectacles, while 273 patients have been provided with essential eye medication.
Through 10 community eye camps in Bogura and Thakurgaon, these services have directly reached populations without access to quality eye care. In just two months, 4,762 patients have benefited from this initiative, highlighting BRAC Bank's commitment to ensuring that vision care is accessible to all, regardless of profession, location, or financial ability.

The economic implications of these initiatives are immense. A clearer vision translates to higher productivity, lower defect rates, better job performance, and improved self-confidence. Studies suggest that improved vision can increase worker productivity by up to 22%. If even half of the 5,916 workers who received glasses experience a 10% boost in efficiency, the additional revenue generated for factories would be in the millions, contributing directly to the country's GDP.

Beyond the factory floor, BRAC Bank's commitment to eye care addresses deeper social challenges. Many rural individuals suffering from vision impairments have long been excluded from economic participation, education, and financial independence. For those who underwent cataract surgery or received glasses, the impact extends far beyond personal benefit—it means being able to work again, read, care for their families, and live with dignity.

Furthermore, improved vision plays a crucial role in financial inclusion. Workers and rural individuals with uncorrected vision often struggle to manage their finances, read contracts, or use digital banking services. By restoring their ability to see clearly, BRAC Bank is inadvertently boosting financial literacy and access, enabling thousands to take control of their earnings and future.

As Bangladesh grows into a global economic powerhouse, investment in health, particularly eye care, must remain a priority. BRAC Bank's pioneering CSR efforts through Aporajeyo Ami have set a benchmark, proving that a commitment to vision health can drive sustainable development, industrial progress, and social inclusion.
Through its unwavering commitment to eye care, BRAC Bank is doing more than restoring vision—it is illuminating possibilities—one pair of eyes at a time.