More than 94 million people worldwide suffer from cataracts, but half do not have access to the surgery needed to treat it, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
Cataracts—the clouding of the eye’s lens that causes blurred vision and can lead to blindness—are increasing as populations age, with older age being the main risk factor.
“Cataract surgery — a simple, 15-minute procedure — is one of the most cost-effective medical interventions, providing immediate and lasting restoration of sight,” the WHO said.
It is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in high-income countries.
However, “half of the world’s population in need of cataract surgery don’t have access to it,” said Stuart Keel, the UN health agency’s technical lead for eye care.
The situation is most severe in the WHO’s Africa region, where three in four people needing cataract surgery remain untreated.
In Kenya, at the current rate, 77 per cent of those requiring cataract surgery are likely to die with cataract-related blindness or vision impairment, Keel said.
Across all regions, women consistently experience lower access to care than men.
Of the 94 million affected, fewer than 20 per cent are blind, while the remainder suffer from impaired vision.
2030 vision
The WHO said that over the past two decades, global cataract surgery coverage had increased by 15 per cent.
In 2021, WHO member states set a target of a 30 per cent increase by 2030.
However, current modelling predicts that cataract surgery coverage will rise by only about 8.4 per cent this decade.
To close the gap, the WHO urged countries to integrate eye examinations into primary healthcare and invest in the necessary surgical equipment.
States should also expand the eye-care workforce, training surgeons in a standardised manner and distributing them throughout the country, particularly outside major cities.
The WHO was on Wednesday launching new guidance for countries on how to provide quality cataract surgery services and issuing advice to support workforce development.
Keel said the main barriers were capacity and financing.
“We do need money invested to get rid of this backlog, which is nearly 100 million people,” he told a press conference.
While age is the primary risk factor for cataracts, others include prolonged UV‑B light exposure, tobacco use, extended corticosteroid use, and diabetes.
Keel urged people to maintain regular eye checks as they get older, noting that most problems can either be prevented or treated if diagnosed early.
The cost of the new lens implanted during surgery can be under $100, although out-of-pocket costs may be higher if not covered by health insurance.
“Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives,” said Devora Kestel, head of the WHO’s noncommunicable diseases and mental health department.
“When people regain their sight, they regain independence, dignity, and opportunity.”
