WHO Urges Global Action as Half of People Facing Cataract Blindness Lack Access to Surgery.
Agency calls for accelerated efforts to make sight-restoring procedures universally available.
Geneva:
Nearly half of all people facing cataract-related blindness worldwide still lack access to life-changing surgery, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, urging countries to intensify efforts to provide this simple and affordable intervention.
A new study published in The Lancet Global Health highlights the scale of the challenge, showing that cataract—a clouding of the eye’s lens causing blurred vision and potentially leading to blindness—affects more than 94 million people globally. Cataract surgery, a brief 15-minute procedure, is among the most cost-effective medical interventions, offering immediate and lasting restoration of sight.
“Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives,” said Devora Kestel, Acting Director of WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. “When people regain their sight, they regain independence, dignity, and opportunity.”
Gaps in Coverage
Despite a 15% increase in global cataract surgery coverage over the past two decades, ageing populations and rising incidence of cataract have driven overall demand upward. Projections for this decade suggest an 8.4% increase in coverage, but WHO notes that progress must accelerate sharply to achieve the World Health Assembly target of a 30% increase by 2030.
The study analyzed 68 country estimates from 2023–2024 and found that the African Region faces the greatest unmet need, with three in four people requiring surgery remaining untreated. Women are disproportionately affected in all regions, experiencing consistently lower access to care than men.
Barriers include shortages and uneven distribution of trained eye-care professionals, high out-of-pocket costs, long waiting times, and limited awareness or demand for surgery even where services exist. Other risk factors accelerating cataract development include prolonged UV-B exposure, tobacco use, corticosteroid use, and diabetes.
Strategies to Close the Gap
WHO emphasizes that ending unnecessary blindness from cataract is both essential and achievable. Recommendations include:
- Integrating vision screening and eye examinations into primary health care.
- Investing in surgical infrastructure and expanding the eye-care workforce, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- Prioritizing women and marginalized communities to address persistent inequities.
WHO is calling on governments, civil society, and partners to build on existing progress, address gender and geographic disparities, and ensure underserved populations have access to surgery. With sustained commitment, cataract surgery could become a universally accessible intervention, preventing avoidable blindness and improving quality of life for millions worldwide.
“Cataract surgery has the power to restore sight and transform lives,” Kestel said. “It is time to make it accessible to everyone who needs it.”
