World Health Organization Calls for Faster Action on Cataract Blindness

The World Health Organization is urging countries to expand access to cataract surgery, warning that millions remain untreated despite the procedure being simple, safe, and highly cost-effective. A new study published in The Lancet Global Health reports that nearly half of people worldwide affected by cataract-related blindness still lack access to surgery.

Cataract — the clouding of the eye’s lens — affects more than 94 million people globally. Although surgical coverage has increased by about 15% over the past two decades, progress must accelerate to meet the World Health Assembly’s target of a 30% rise by 2030.

The gap is widest in Africa, where three in four people needing surgery remain untreated. Women face consistently lower access across regions. WHO says expanding primary eye care, strengthening surgical capacity, and prioritizing underserved communities are essential to ending avoidable blindness.

12-02-2026