The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent global action to address the growing demand for cataract surgeries, emphasizing that millions of people worldwide still lack access to this simple yet life-changing procedure. Cataracts, a condition where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, affect more than 94 million people globally and remain a leading cause of vision impairment and preventable blindness.
Despite being a routine 15-minute operation that can immediately restore sight, only about half of those needing cataract surgery worldwide have access to it. The problem is most severe in Africa, where the majority of patients remain untreated. The WHO highlighted that women are particularly disadvantaged, consistently experiencing lower access to necessary care compared to men. Age is the major risk factor for developing cataracts, making the challenge even more pressing as global populations continue to age.
The latest WHO modelling suggests that global coverage for cataract surgery has increased by about 15 percent over the past two decades. However, this growth is not keeping pace with the rising need. The agency projects an 8.4 percent increase in coverage during this decade, but stresses that far more rapid progress is required to meet the World Health Assembly’s goal of a 30 percent increase in cataract surgery coverage by 2030.
Eye health initiatives are also making significant progress at the local level. In Hoshiarpur, India, a program known as ‘Project Roshni’ recently conducted eye screenings for over 3,400 schoolchildren, supported by health teams from Dayanand Medical College & Hospital and the National Child Health Programme. Children diagnosed with vision problems, such as refractive errors, received free corrective glasses. Those found with more complex conditions, including two children with squint issues, were provided with advanced surgical treatment at no cost, offering relief to families with limited resources.
Officials in Hoshiarpur praised the combined efforts of healthcare providers and local organizations for ensuring no child loses sight due to treatable conditions. Such programs are seen as vital for giving underprivileged children a stronger start in life, and are helping to bring the broader healthcare community closer to the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness.
