Cataract, one of the most effective and affordable interventions to rectify issues with eyesight, is still beyond the reach of many.
As per a study published in The Lancet Global Health, nearly half of all people across the world facing cataract-related blindness still need access to surgery.
Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives. When people regain their sight, they regain independence, dignity, and opportunity," said Devora Kestel, Director a.i., WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
What is a cataract?
A cataract can be explained as the clouding of the lens of the eye. People with cataracts feel like looking through cloudy, unclear lenses, making it difficult to read, drive, or carry out the routine chores.
What causes cataract?
As per Mayo Clinic, most cataracts develop when ageing or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye's lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down. This causes vision to become hazy or cloudy.
For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH
Apart from this, some disorders passed down from parents or even long-term use of steroid medicines may also cause cataracts to develop.
The Lancet study analysed reports from 68 country estimates for 2023 and 2024, showing that the African Region faces the greatest gap, with three in four people who need cataract surgery remaining untreated. Among them, women are disproportionately affected across all regions, consistently experiencing lower access to care than men.
WHO called on countries to accelerate progress by integrating vision screening and eye examinations into primary health care, investing in essential surgical infrastructure, and expanding and better distributing the eye-care workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
