WHO Calls for Increased Access to Cataract Surgery to Combat Blindness

The World Health Organization (WHO) is emphasizing the urgency for countries to enhance access to cataract surgeries, which offer a vital solution for millions impacted by this condition. Cataract, characterized by the clouding of the eye's lens, is responsible for blurred vision and can lead to blindness if untreated. According to a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health, almost half of the individuals worldwide facing blindness due to cataracts have yet to receive the surgical intervention needed to restore their sight.

Globally, cataracts affect over 94 million people. The surgical procedure, which typically lasts about 15 minutes, stands out as one of the most cost-effective medical interventions available, delivering immediate improvements in vision.

In the last twenty years, the global rate of cataract surgeries has seen a modest increase of approximately 15%. However, this growth has not kept pace with the rising demand driven by an ageing population and higher prevalence of the condition. Projections indicate an anticipated 8.4% increase in surgical coverage over the next decade. Yet, to meet the World Health Assembly's target of a 30% increase by 2030, significant acceleration in these efforts is necessary.

Devora Kestel, the acting Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, highlighted the transformative power of cataract surgery, stating, "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."

The study analyzing data from 68 countries for the years 2023 and 2024 points out that the African Region exhibits the most substantial gap in treatment access, where an alarming three out of four individuals needing cataract surgery remain untreated. The data also illustrates a consistent trend where women face greater barriers to care access than men across various regions, illustrating a troubling disparity.

This lack of access can be attributed to a range of long-standing systemic obstacles, such as an insufficient number of trained eye-care providers, uneven distribution of healthcare resources, high costs burdens, prolonged waiting periods, and a lack of awareness or perceived necessity for the surgery even when services are available.

While advancing age remains the principal risk factor for developing cataracts, other elements such as prolonged exposure to UV-B rays, tobacco usage, the taking of corticosteroids, and diabetes can hasten the onset of the condition.

To effectively reduce the incidence of preventable blindness caused by cataracts, the WHO believes such an initiative is both critical and attainable. Strategies for advancing this goal include integrating vision screening and regular eye examinations into primary healthcare services, enhancing surgical facilities, and developing and evenly distributing an eye-care workforce, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Focused initiatives to support women and marginalized communities will be essential in addressing persistent inequities and ensuring that improvements in access benefit all demographics.

The WHO is calling upon governments, civil society, and various partners to leverage existing momentum, tackle gender and geographic disparity, and focus on underserved groups. With a sustained commitment, the vision for cataract surgery can evolve from a distant goal for many to an accessible and universal service that aids in the elimination of preventable blindness globally.