Preventing Blindness in Coastal Bangladesh

Investment / Stage 1: Seed Partnerships

Illustration of face with an eye patch
Illustration: Eric Nyquist

    Many people in low- and middle-income countries lack access to basic eye care, despite the substantial health and economic burden imposed by eye diseases. In coastal communities in Bangladesh, rising sea levels and land loss makes eye care even harder to access despite the fact that many eye conditions can be prevented altogether or successfully treated when detected early. 

    The Amar Chokh Amar Alo (ACA2) initiative—which translates to “My Eyes, My Light”—is a community-led, AI-assisted eye-care program serving remote coastal communities in Bangladesh. ACA2 combines cutting-edge technology with a community-staffed care model and electronic health records to deliver low-cost eye care, coordinate treatment, and support research. Since initiating services in coastal Bangladesh in January 2025, ACA2 has screened 41,000 community members, detecting and initiating treatment for highly prevalent eye conditions, including refractive errors, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. 

    To leverage the advances of ACA2, our team has formed a broad partnership that includes the health tech startup Data Yakka, the Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre, University College London/Moorfields Hospital, the Dr. K. Zaman Bangladesh National Society for the Blind Eye Hospital, and several local and national governmental agencies. Together, our aim is to expand ACA2 to reach 200,000 individuals over two years and enhance the model via:

    • Scientific research to elucidate the high rates of eye disease in this region
    • Further refinement and optimization of the low-cost ACA2 eye care delivery model
    • Expansion to two new sites of eye care within coastal Bangladesh.

    These activities are intended to contribute to evidence and policy discussions around preventing and treating eye disease in low- and middle-income countries and yield insights about how the model might be adapted for use elsewhere in Bangladesh and beyond.

    Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center

    Data Yakka

    Dr. K. Zaman Bangladesh National Society for the Blind Eye Hospital

    Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health

    A middle-aged man with wavy black hair and glasses is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a black suit jacket over a light blue shirt with a collar and a dark red tie. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting an indoor event setting.
    Ahmadul Haque

    Additional Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of Bangladesh

    A professional portrait of a man smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a white dress shirt and a red tie. The background is plain white, creating a clean and formal appearance.
    Hasan Kabir

    Clinic Manager, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre

    A woman wearing a white hijab with red trim and glasses is looking directly at the camera. She has a serious expression and is dressed in a modest, light-colored outfit. The background is plain white, highlighting her face and attire.
    Laila Kabir

    Program Director, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre

    A man with short, wavy brown hair and glasses is looking directly at the camera. He has a neutral expression and is wearing a light blue collared shirt. The background is plain white, which emphasizes his features.
    Pearse A. Keane

    Professor, University College London and Moorfields Hospital NHS

    A young man with short, dark hair and glasses is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark suit jacket over a white shirt with a patterned collar. The background is a simple, muted gray, emphasizing his professional appearance.
    Paul Nderitu

    Ophthalmologist, University College London and Moorfields Hospital NHS

    A man with dark hair and a beard is smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses and a dark suit jacket over a light blue shirt. The background shows a blurred cityscape, suggesting a professional setting.
    Hasib Rahman

    CEO, Data Yakka

    A man with gray hair, wearing glasses and a dark suit, is seen speaking or addressing an audience. He has a slight smile and a thoughtful expression. The background features a blue gradient, adding a professional ambiance to the scene.
    Muhammad Saidur Rahman

    Director, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre

    Headshot of a man with a bald head and wearing glasses. He is dressed in a striped shirt with shades of blue and pink and a light-colored tie. The background is a light blue. The man has a serious expression and is looking directly at the camera.
    Beto Krishna Roy

    Chief of Ophthalmology, Dr. K. Zaman Bangladesh National Society for the Blind Eye Hospital

    A middle-aged man with short, dark hair and a mustache is smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses and a light blue collared shirt. The background is a soft, neutral color that keeps the focus on his friendly expression.
    Parag Sharifuzzaman

    Director, Dr. K. Zaman Bangladesh National Society for the Blind Eye Hospital

    A middle-aged man with thinning hair and a full beard is smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses and a black and white striped shirt. The background is light gray, allowing his features to stand out clearly.
    Randall Stafford

    Professor of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine; Co-Founder, Data Yakka

    A middle-aged man with short, dark hair and a friendly smile is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a light blue shirt. The background is dark, which highlights his facial features and creates a professional atmosphere.
    Geoffrey Craig Tabin

    Professor of Ophthalmology, Stanford School of Medicine

    © Stanford University.   Stanford, California 94305.