In the District of Netracona, the local vision centre is a lifeline for the community.
Located in the northern part of Bangladesh, many in the area experience poverty and lack access to basic necessities. Opened in 2021, the vision centre is a critical link that connects residents with eye health screening, prescription eyeglasses, specialist referral and other health services.
A bird’s eye view of the town’s skyline reveals one more thing that sets this vision centre apart: it’s covered in solar panels.
Powering a vision centre through a solar array is a forward-thinking solution in a country that stands at the forefront of climate change. Each year, Bangladesh faces rising sea levels and erratic weather patterns. Frequent floods, cyclones and droughts threaten not only the livelihoods of millions but also people’s health and well-being.
“In many ways, Bangladesh symbolizes the urgent need for global climate action,” explains Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, President & CEO of Operation Eyesight. “Changes in the environment have an impact on eye conditions and also present new challenges to healthcare systems. We need to take note and adjust the way we deliver care.”
Together with communities, we are setting a new standard in how healthcare systems can operate sustainably, improve lives and protect the planet.
The climate-eye health connection
Our eyes are incredibly delicate and sensitive organs, and emerging research confirms that eye health is susceptible to the environmental impacts of climate change. This is echoed by our healthcare staff and volunteers, working on the ground and in the community, who frequently witness firsthand the effects of climate change on public health. Extreme weather events such as wildfires, floods and dust storms disrupt access to essential eye care services and can cause direct eye injuries. Climate-related issues such as air pollution and drought can also increase the risk of various eye conditions.
Air pollution, for instance, is associated with a rising incidence of conjunctivitis and allergic eye reactions. And worsening wildfire seasons mean that heavy smoke more frequently blows into towns and cities, leading to complaints of burning, gritty and irritated eyes. What’s worse is that experts say the long-term effects of smoke on our vision are unclear. Studies out of China and India show that persistent exposure to high levels of pollutants made up of fine particulate matter, called PM2.5, is linked to an increased risk for age-related eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. While those studies focused on industrial pollutants, fine particular matter (PM2.5) is also a component of wildfire smoke.
In addition, the increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to ozone depletion is linked to a higher risk of cataracts and other vision-threatening conditions.
The World Health Organization has identified climate-driven diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, as potential contributors to visual impairment. Over the long term, droughts caused by climate change often result in food shortages, which are linked to vision loss.
In sub-Saharan Africa, where trachoma is a leading cause of blindness, climate change could worsen both the prevalence and severity of this disease. Since trachoma disproportionately affects women and girls, the climate crisis has broader implications – not only for eye health but also for development issues like gender equality.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, recognizing that Climate Action (SDG 13) is inextricably linked with other goals, such as those prioritized by Operation Eyesight: education, access to fresh water, gender equality, and good health and well-being.
“Climate change is both an environmental issue and a human health issue that is being felt across the eye health sector,” Kashinath says. “As the climate crisis intensifies, healthcare systems, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, must adapt to meet new challenges.”
A green approach to eye health care
Solar panels are just one example of how eye health services in the community can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce carbon footprints and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya, our teams at Iten Eye Unit planted seedlings to help celebrate the first-ever National Tree Planting Day in November, 2023. Located in the arid western part of Kenya, where deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion and water shortages have led to widespread desertification, it’s a step in the right direction.
In India, which is another of our countries of work, similar steps have also been recommended.
Empowering communities and building resilience
Bringing access to clean, fresh water to communities in sub-Saharan Africa has been one of our key strategies to improve health and reduce the transmission of blinding trachoma. In addition to educating communities about the importance of washing their hands, faces and clothes to reduce the transmission of disease, ensuring communities have access to sustainable, local water sources brings many other benefits as well.
For example, in Zambia’s arid Sinazongwe district, families who once faced food shortages due to drought are now able to grow backyard gardens, thanks to our work rehabilitating and drilling water boreholes.
By bringing access to fresh water and educating communities about the importance of water conservation, sanitation and hygiene, we’re improving health outcomes and empowering communities to reverse the effects of desertification in communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
“Sustainability goes hand-in-hand with empowering communities,” explains Kris Kelm, our Global Director of International Programs. “By educating communities on hygiene practices and supporting freshwater initiatives, we are enhancing the resilience of not just communities, but entire healthcare systems, in the face of climate change.”
Leading by example: local solutions to global challenges
Operation Eyesight is facing global challenges when it comes to climate change, but the solutions are driven by local communities.
“The climate crisis is having a very real impact on public health, and eye health is no exception,” Kris says. “Today, our work is focused on safeguarding eye health while minimizing the impact of our operations globally, and there is more work to be done.”
Public health and other development priorities will continue to be shaped by a range of issues, from food security to a shortage of healthcare personnel, to climate change issues.
“In coming years, the global eye health community’s response to climate change requires a thoughtful and coordinated approach from international organizations, as well as government agencies and policy makers,” explains Kashinath.
Kashinath says that more opportunities exist that will help address the eye health needs of underserved communities and drive environmental sustainability of operations, including:
- Sustainable procurement practices for medical supplies, including buying local and opting for re-usable supplies rather than single use supplies;
- Reducing travel through telemedicine and video conferencing;
- Public health awareness and education that is focused on environmental sustainability as part of public health education;
- Policy intervention through advocacy with government leaders;
- Healthcare provider education and capacity building;
- Purchasing energy efficient equipment; and
- Safe disposal of bio-medical waste.
“This way, our work is not only improving access to quality eye health services but also contributing to a healthier planet,” adds Kashinath.
Operation Eyesight’s partnership with communities to integrate environmental sustainability is more than a response to climate change; it’s a vision for the future of eye health.
Read our five-year Global Strategy to find out how we plan to continue meeting the eye health needs of communities in the face of climate change. Donate today to help us bring sustainable eye health solutions to communities that need it most.
