WHO Says Nearly Half of People With Cataracts Lack Access to Simple Sight-Restoring Surgery

A major World Health Organization report released today warns that nearly half of the 94 million people suffering from cataract-related blindness or severe vision impairment worldwide do not have access to a straightforward, 15-minute surgical procedure that could restore their sight. The agency is urging governments to integrate eye care into primary health systems to reach millions in need.

Cataracts, a clouding of the lens that blurs vision and can lead to permanent blindness if untreated, remain the leading cause of vision loss in many parts of the world. According to WHO, more than 94 million people are affected, and roughly half of them cannot get the surgery they need due to gaps in health systems, lack of trained professionals and financial barriers.

The report, drawing on a study published today in The Lancet Global Health, shows that global coverage of cataract surgery has improved by about 15 percent over the past two decades. But despite this progress, ageing populations and rising demand have outpaced service delivery, with coverage projected to increase by only about 8.4 percent this decade. WHO notes this falls short of the World Health Assembly target of a 30 percent increase by 2030.

The gap in access is not evenly distributed. The Africa region faces the starkest shortfall, where three out of every four people needing cataract surgery remain untreated. Women also experience consistently lower access to care than men across most regions, reflecting persistent gender and geographic inequities in health services.

“Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives,” said Devora Kestel, Director a.i. of WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, in the agency’s announcement. She noted that restoring sight can help people regain independence, dignity and opportunity.

WHO’s analysis highlights barriers that keep people from receiving timely treatment, including shortages of trained eye-care professionals, high out-of-pocket costs, long waiting times and limited awareness or demand for surgery even where services exist. The agency says these structural challenges must be addressed through health-system reforms.

To close the gap, WHO is calling on governments to integrate vision screening and basic eye examinations into primary health care, invest in essential surgical infrastructure and expand and better distribute the eye-care workforce, especially in rural and underserved areas. Targeted efforts to prioritize women and marginalized communities will be key to reducing inequities and ensuring that gains in access benefit everyone.

Without major changes, millions of people risk living out their lives with preventable vision loss, the agency warns, even though a simple, cost-effective solution exists.