The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to accelerate efforts to ensure that millions of people living with cataract can access simple, sight‑restoring surgery. A new study published in The Lancet Global Health highlights the scale of the challenge: nearly half of all people across the world facing cataract‑related blindness still need access to surgery.
According to the WHO, over the past 2 decades, global coverage of cataract surgery has increased by about 15%, even as aging populations and rising cataract cases have increased overall demand. The latest modeling predicts the coverage for cataract surgery to rise by about 8.4% for this decade. However, progress needs to accelerate sharply to meet the World Health Assembly target of a 30% 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. “When people regain their sight, they regain independence, dignity, and opportunity.”
The study, which analyzed reports from 68 country estimates for 2023 and 2024 shows that the African region faces the greatest gap, with 3 in 4 people who need cataract surgery remaining untreated. Women are disproportionately affected across all regions, consistently experiencing lower access to care than men.
These gaps reflect long-standing structural barriers, including shortages and unequal distribution of trained eyecare professionals, high out-of-pocket costs, long waiting times, and limited awareness or demand for surgery, even where services exist, the WHO said. In addition, although age is the primary risk factor for cataract, other contributors such as prolonged UV-B exposure, tobacco use, corticosteroid use, and diabetes can accelerate its development.
According to the WHO, ending unnecessary blindness from cataract is essential and achievable. Countries can accelerate progress by integrating vision screening and eye examinations into primary health care, investing in essential surgical infrastructure, and expanding and better distributing the eyecare workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Targeted efforts to prioritize women and marginalized communities will be critical to reducing persistent inequities and ensuring that gains in access benefit everyone. The WHO said it is calling on governments, civil society, and partners to build on existing momentum, address gender and geographic inequities, and prioritize underserved populations. OM