Poverty and Cataract—A Deeper Look at a Complex Issue

It is hardly debatable that poverty and poor health, however one measures either of these broad concepts, often exist together. Blindness, the most important manifestation of poor eye health, is no exception. World Health Organization estimates show higher rates of visual impairment in poorer countries, with few exceptions [1], and a recent large population-based survey in Pakistan found an association between blindness and poverty within-country [2]. The most common cause of blindness worldwide is cataract. This condition mostly affects older people, rich and poor alike, but there is an effective surgical cure. Therefore, while cataract blindness is relatively rare in countries where good quality eye surgery is available to the majority, cataract still accounts for half or more of the visual impairment in countries where people have limited access to eye care [1] .