Al Basar International Foundation
Our Story
Driven by compassion and a shared vision for humanity.
What began as a clear vision has transformed into a global movement of healthcare professionals, volunteers, and partners working tirelessly to bring sight and hope to those in the darkest corners of the world.
A Story of Restoring Sight Since 1989
What began as a small group of dedicated ophthalmologists determined to fight preventable blindness has grown into a global movement transforming lives through accessible eye care, sustainable healthcare systems, and community empowerment.
For more than three decades, Al Basar International Foundation has worked alongside local communities to ensure that no one loses their sight simply because they were born in the wrong place or could not afford treatment. Today, our work spans hospitals, outreach programmes, training institutions, and school screening initiatives across Africa and Asia.
1989: A Vision Beyond Medicine
In 1989, a group of ophthalmologists witnessed a heartbreaking reality: millions of people were living with preventable blindness despite treatments being readily available elsewhere. Determined to change this, they launched Al Basar International Foundation with a simple belief:
"Sight is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right."
Their first outreach programmes brought life-changing eye care directly to underserved communities, reaching people who had never before seen a specialist. What started as a mission to restore sight soon evolved into a commitment to build lasting healthcare systems that could serve generations to come.
From One Mission to Millions of Lives
Over the years, Al Basar expanded beyond temporary medical camps and invested in sustainable solutions that create long-term impact.
Today our work includes:
Eye hospitals serving vulnerable communities
Permanent diagnostic and secondary surgical centers.
Outreach programmes in remote regions
Fully equipped medical caravans that journey off the grid.
School eye screening initiatives
Classroom field tests designed to capture pediatric errors early.
Training colleges for future eye-care professionals
Building specialized local workforces.
Community-led healthcare development
Empowering health leaders, clinic managers, and health advocates locally.
This evolution has allowed us to move beyond treating blindness and focus on preventing it before it occurs.
More Than Numbers
"Every patient treated represents a parent returning to work, a child succeeding in school, or an elderly person regaining independence."
Over the decades, Al Basar has grown into an international network serving millions of people through eye-care programmes, hospitals, surgeries, screenings, and training initiatives across multiple countries. What matters most is not the scale of our work, but the lives transformed through restored vision and renewed opportunity.
Sustainable Change, Not Temporary Relief
We believe lasting impact comes from empowering local communities.
Rather than simply delivering treatment, we invest in local healthcare professionals, strengthen medical infrastructure, and support community leadership so that quality eye care remains available long after a programme ends.
"Our mission was never simply to perform surgeries. It was to create a future where every community has the knowledge, resources, and healthcare systems needed to protect sight for generations."— Founding Vision of Al Basar
The Story Continues
Every restored vision begins with hope.
From our first outreach programme in 1989 to our growing network of hospitals, screenings, and training centres today, our journey has always been guided by one purpose: ensuring that preventable blindness never stands between a person and their future.
Together, we are building a world where everyone has the opportunity to see, learn, work, and thrive.
Give Someone the Chance to See Again!
A simple cataract surgery can transform a life in minutes.
Your donation helps provide sight-restoring treatment to people who would otherwise face a preventable blindness.
Today, your gift can change a life forever.
Give the Gift of Sight
