During the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh in July 2024, over 1300 cases of eye injuries were reported, with several hundred resulting in permanent blindness. However, the broader aftermath—encompassing financial hardship, social exclusion and psychological trauma—remains largely unexplored.
To assess the psychological, social and financial consequences of ocular injuries among survivors of the July 2024 protests in Bangladesh.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among ocular injury survivors under medical care at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, Dhaka. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews. Psychological distress was measured using the validated Bangla Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used for analysis.
Participants were predominantly male (97.98%), aged 18–35 years (68.6%). Surgical intervention was required in 81.8% of cases, and 28.3% received delayed care. Unemployment rose from 4.0% pre-injury to 87.9% post injury. The financial crisis significantly affected 80.8% and 31.7% fell into debt. Social stigmatisation was reported by 62.6%. Psychological assessments revealed extremely severe depression, anxiety and stress among most of the survivors (60.4%, 53.7% and 36.2%, respectively). Only 1.0% received professional mental health support.
The study identifies that there is an unmet need for psychosocial support among eye injury survivors of the July mass uprising in Bangladesh. These findings show gaps in trauma response and long-term rehabilitation, underscoring the need for combined medical, psychological and socioeconomic support.