Blindness prevalence has declined to 1.99 per cent during the survey period of 2015-2019 compared to 3.6 per cent in 2007 but, ophthalmologists said, the persistence of untreated cataract and complications from the cataract surgery are worrying findings. Blindness prevalence has declined to 1.99 per cent during the survey period of 2015-2019 compared to 3.6 per cent in 2007 but, ophthalmologists said, the persistence of untreated cataract and complications from the cataract surgery are worrying findings. One in five (22 per cent) patients who had untreated cataract could not afford the surgery, while 16 per cent did not opt for surgery despite being able to afford it. “Cataract surgery is a high-tech procedure and needs to be done with due care and precautions,” said Mahipal Sachdev, a senior New Delhi-based ophthalmologist and president-elect of the All India Opthalmological Society. Opthalmologists estimate that more than 60 lakh patients undergo cataract surgery across the country every year, a number higher those for the US and Europe combined.

Source: The Telegraph October 10, 2019 20:37 UTC