Cataracts

94 million people are blind or visually impaired globally, and cataract is the most common cause of blindness worldwide. However, most cases of blindness are avoidable. Cataract is associated with decreased quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Most cases of cataract occur after birth and share ageing and oxidative stress as primary causes, although several non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors can accelerate cataract formation. In most patients, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation is the preferred treatment and is highly cost-effective. There has been an increase in the use of comprehensive cataract surgical services, including diagnoses, treatment referrals, and rehabilitation. However, global inequity in surgical service quality is still a limitation. Implementation of preoperative risk assessment, risk reduction strategies, and new surgical technologies have made cataract surgery possible at an earlier stage of cataract severity with the expectation of good refractive outcomes. The main challenge is making the service that is currently available to some patients accessible to all by use of universal health coverage.

Automated summary

There are 94 million people globally who are blind or visually impaired, with cataract being the leading cause of blindness worldwide. However, most cases of blindness can be prevented. Cataract is linked to lower quality of life and reduced life expectancy. While aging and oxidative stress are primary causes of cataract, there are also various risk factors that can speed up its development. Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation is the preferred treatment, which has proven to be cost-effective. Although comprehensive cataract surgical services have seen an increase, there is still a global disparity in quality. The challenge lies in making this service accessible to all through universal health coverage.