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Around 1.4 million children under age 15 are blind. Yet approximately half of all childhood blindness can be avoided by treating diseases early and by correcting abnormalities at birth such as cataract and glaucoma. (WHO)
Read about physical impairment

Some facts about cataracts

: © CBM
Mr. Amstrong (right) being examined by Dr. Vonor, an ophthalmologist at CBM-partner 'Lome Teaching Hospital', during the free consultation campaign on World Sight Day 2011. Mr Amstrong, 87 has bilateral age-related cataract.

Some basic information about cataract, the leading cause of blindness in low-income regions of the world.

Questions and answers

©CBM: Hadija, from Tanzania, had been blind for four years due to cataracts in both eyes. She was treated free of charge by CBM partner CCBRT in 2007, regained her sight, and left hospital looking forward to starting a business.

What is cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye leading to visual impairment and blindness

How many people are affected?

17 million people worldwide are blind due to cataract, almost half of world blindness

What are the causes?

Scientifically, the causes of cataract are not yet all clear. Age-related cataract is by far the most common form of cataract

How can cataract be cured?

Cataract can only be cured through an operation. It is one of the most commonly performed operation worldwide

Blind man carrying water in containers suspended from a wooden pole across is shoulders. He is using a cane to navigate.

Visual Conditions

Some visual conditions, their causes and treatments - cataract, childhood blindness, river blindness (onchocerciasis), age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, trachoma and low Vision