What is Cataract?

Vision of a Cataract affected Child

Cataract Affected Eye

Cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens - the part of the eye that is responsible for focusing light.The lens is made up mainly of water and protein. Over time, protein can build up, clouding the light that passes through the eye, making sight blurred or fuzzy. For most people, cataract is a natural result of ageing.Often cataract develops in both eyes at the same time. The symptoms tend to be a gradual blurring of vision, which if left untreated can result in a total loss of sight.

Cataract and poverty

Removing cataract is a relatively simple surgical procedure. It is common and easily accessible in developed countries, but in the developing countries, many people with cataract go without treatment

Why is this?

· There is a lack of staff and the equipment needed to significantly reduce the growing backlog of cataract operations.

· Patients are often wary of having surgery.

· When people with cataract live far from towns and cities, getting to hospital involves a great deal of travel and expense.

· As well as the travel costs, people will not be able to work immediately after the operation and worry about losing income.