Cataract Project

From Darkness to Light

All Live Have Equal Value

Blindness from cataracts is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss globally, and South Africa is no exception. For thousands of South Africans living in poverty, cataracts strip away not just their eyesight, but their independence, ability to work, interact, and enjoy a quality life. What makes this tragedy more painful is that the solution is both simple and available — a short surgical procedure that can restore sight entirely.

That’s where the Cataract Project by ICSA (Islamic Circle of Southern Africa) steps in.

This flagship humanitarian campaign is run in collaboration with AWQAF SA and the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA). Together, they are changing lives by offering free cataract surgeries to the most vulnerable segments of our society. Since the project’s inception, over 12,000 free cataract operations have been successfully performed across South Africa — bringing light back into the lives of thousands.

Our Mission: Sight for All

The core mission of the Cataract Project is to make quality eye-care accessible to everyone, especially those who cannot afford it. Our work is guided by the principles of compassion, equity, and service to humanity, offering medical care to all — regardless of race, religion, or background.

“The best of people are those who bring the most benefit to mankind.” This project is a living reflection of that teaching.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Mobile Cataract Unit: A Hospital on Wheels

A key innovation in this campaign is the deployment of a Mobile Cataract Unit — a fully equipped, state-of-the-art mobile clinic designed to overcome one of the biggest barriers to surgery: access to hospitals and surgical facilities.

Many of the cataract patients live in rural areas and informal settlements where transport is expensive, hospitals are far, and surgical facilities are overwhelmed. The Mobile Cataract Unit brings the surgery to them. This mobile setup is equipped with:

High-powered Surgical Microscope
Slit Lamp for Diagnosis
Specialised Operating Chair & Table
Steriliser
Essential Medical Consumables
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

The unit travels to government hospitals that already have ophthalmology departments and eye specialists. With approval from the hospitals, our experienced eye surgeons utilize hospital spaces while bringing their own equipment and consumables.

Surgical & Post-Surgical Support

Each patient receives:

A comprehensive pre-operative screening
A painless 15–20 minute surgery to remove the cataract and implant a new lens
Post-operative medication provided by the hospital
Follow-up care managed by the hospital’s eye care department

This model reduces the burden on public healthcare, improves surgical efficiency, and ensures high-quality post-surgical care — all at no cost to the patient.

Impact: Measurable and Transformative

To date:

12,000+ patients have had their sight restored
Communities across Gauteng, and beyond have benefited
Elderly individuals can now read, move around independently, and perform daily tasks
Mothers can care for their children again
Breadwinners can return to work and earn a living
Children can grow up with grandparents who are no longer dependent or isolated

For each R1,500–R2,000 raised, one more person steps out of darkness — often after years of blindness.

Recognition

In 2023, the ICSA Cataract Project, in collaboration with AWQAF SA and IMASA, was honoured with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award in recognition of its enduring contribution to eye care in South Africa.

This award belongs to everyone who supported the project — the donors, volunteers, surgeons, and hospital staff who make each surgery possible.

Donate Now: Banking Details

Account Name: The Bait-ul-Islam Healthcare Centre Trust
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Number: 62720445487
Branch Code: 256505 (Melville)
Reference: Cataract
Section 18A tax receipts can be issued upon request