Free eye and medical camp in Tando Koi, Swabi
Around 900 patients received free eye examinations, glasses, medicines and consultations at our camp in Tando Koi, District Swabi, on 12 October 2025.
Our core work
Free eye camps
Our mobile teams take eye care to the doorsteps of people who cannot travel to a hospital. It is where Al-Ain began, and it is still at the heart of what we do.
Where it began
Sehnsa, Azad Kashmir, August 2003
Our first camp ran over two days, on 28 and 29 August 2003. We examined and treated over 1,500 patients. 132 of them had cataracts removed with lens implants, free of charge. We gave free glasses to almost 200 people and made 30 pairs to order for students and older patients.
- Patients examined and treated
- 1,500+
- Cataract operations with lens implants
- 132
- Pairs of glasses given free
- 200
How a camp works
From village screening to restored sight
Screening
Doctors and paramedical staff from Umeed (Hope) Hospital test sight and check health, often for hundreds of patients in a single day.
Glasses and medicines
Patients receive reading glasses and medicines on the spot, free of charge.
Transport to hospital
Patients who need cataract operations travel to Umeed (Hope) Hospital in our community ambulance.
Surgery and home
They have their operation, stay overnight, and are taken home to their village.
Why it matters
Most blindness can be prevented or treated
Blindness affects over 45 million people worldwide, and a further 124 million live with significant sight loss. Around 90% of them live in low-income countries, and 80% of this blindness can be treated or prevented.
In countries like Pakistan there are too few trained eye staff, medicines, equipment and referral routes. Sight loss affects far more than health: it makes work harder to find, isolates people and puts pressure on families.
Our aims for the next five years
- Keep giving free cataract operations to families on low incomes in remote areas, using the facilities at Umeed (Hope) Hospital.
- Improve primary and secondary eye care at Umeed (Hope) Hospital.
- Introduce telemedicine so UK-based doctors can share good practice in eye care with the hospital.
- Reduce avoidable blindness by many thousands, through good eye care and by training local people to support low-vision services.
Camps in Bangladesh
With our partner Change and Development (CAD), we have also funded free eye camps in Bangladesh, paid for by the UK Bangladeshi community and the masjids that host our clothing banks.
Recent camps
News from our camps
Free medical and eye camp at Umeed (Hope) Hospital
Over 650 patients were screened and treated at a free medical and eye camp at Umeed (Hope) Hospital, Murid, Chakwal, on 28 January 2023.
Free medical and eye camp in Thand Koi, Swabi
A team from Umeed (Hope) Hospital screened over 800 patients in District Swabi on 27 March 2022 and identified 28 people for free cataract operations.
Give today
Sponsor a free eye camp
£1,000 funds a camp in a village: up to 1,000 sight tests and 20 cataract operations. Or give towards one.
£1A sight testor 10 sight tests for £10Give £1 £3Medicines for a patientfor a patient with a chronic illnessGive £3 £5A pair of glassesor 5 pairs for £25Give £5 £35A cataract operationor 3 operations for £105Give £35 £1,000An eye camp in a villageup to 1,000 sight tests and 20 operationsGive £1,000
The Al-Ain promise
Every pound you give goes to patients
Our administration costs are covered entirely by our trading activities, so 100% of cash donations help those in need.
Make a difference today
Support a free eye camp in your village
Call us on
0115 845 1217