A new study published in The Lancet Global Health has revealed that Africa faces the widest gap in cataract care globally, with three out of every four people who require surgery still untreated. The analysis, which reviewed data from 68 countries between 2023 and 2024, found significant disparities in access to cataract surgery. Cataract, a condition that clouds the eye’s lens and leads to blurred vision and possible blindness, affects more than 94 million people worldwide. WHO emphasised that eliminating avoidable cataract blindness is both achievable and essential. With sustained commitment, cataract surgery can move from being out of reach for millions to a universally accessible intervention, helping to end avoidable blindness worldwide,” the statement said.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 11, 2026 14:34 UTC