The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to intensify efforts to ensure millions of people living with cataract can access simple, sight-restoring surgery, describing it as one of the most effective and affordable interventions to prevent avoidable blindness.
A new study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals that nearly half of all individuals experiencing cataract-related blindness worldwide still require surgical treatment.
A growing global challenge
Cataract, a condition that causes clouding of the eye’s lens and blurred vision, affects more than 94 million people globally. Although cataract surgery is a straightforward 15-minute procedure with lasting benefits, access remains uneven.
Over the past two decades, global coverage of cataract surgery has increased by approximately 15 per cent. However, ageing populations and rising cases continue to outpace service expansion. Current projections estimate an 8.4 per cent rise in coverage this decade — short of the World Health Assembly’s target of a 30 per cent increase by 2030.
“Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives,” said Devora Kestel, Director a.i., WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
Persistent inequities
The study analysed data from 68 countries between 2023 and 2024 and found the African Region faces the widest gap, with three in four individuals needing surgery remaining untreated.
Women are disproportionately affected, experiencing consistently lower access to surgical care across regions.
Barriers include shortages of trained eye-care professionals, unequal service distribution, high out-of-pocket costs, long waiting times and limited awareness.
Accelerating solutions
WHO recommends integrating vision screening into primary healthcare, expanding surgical infrastructure and strengthening the eye-care workforce, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Addressing gender and geographic inequities will be critical to meeting global targets and ensuring universal access.
With sustained policy focus and investment, WHO says cataract surgery can become widely accessible, significantly reducing avoidable blindness and restoring independence to millions worldwide.
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