The World Health Organization is calling on governments to urgently scale up access to cataract surgery as new data reveals nearly half of people worldwide facing cataract-related blindness remain without treatment.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health shows that while global coverage of cataract surgery has increased by approximately 15% over two decades, progress remains insufficient to meet the World Health Assembly’s target of a 30% increase by 2030.
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Cataract, which clouds the eye’s lens causing blurred vision and potential blindness, affects more than 94 million people globally. The condition can be corrected through a simple 15 minute surgical procedure that provides immediate and lasting sight restoration.
“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 research, analyzing reports from 68 countries in 2023 and 2024, reveals significant regional disparities. The African Region faces the largest treatment gap, with three in four people requiring surgery remaining untreated. Women across all regions experience consistently lower access to care than men.
Barriers to access
Structural challenges preventing wider access include shortages of trained eye-care professionals, unequal geographic distribution of services, high out-of-pocket costs, extended waiting periods, and limited public awareness about available treatments.
While aging remains the primary risk factor, prolonged UV-B exposure, tobacco use, corticosteroid use, and diabetes can accelerate cataract development.
Solutions
WHO recommends countries integrate vision screening into primary healthcare, invest in essential surgical infrastructure, and expand the eye-care workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Targeted interventions for women and marginalized communities are critical to reducing persistent inequities.
WHO is urging governments, civil society, and partners to address gender and geographic disparities and prioritize underserved populations to make cataract surgery universally accessible.
