Cataracts: A milky clouding of the eye lens

Open the Cataract Simulator.

Cataract is the number one cause of blindness in the world.

It is the milky clouding of the lens which blocks light from entering the eye, causing blindness.

Not much is known about the cause of cataracts. They occur more frequently in older people and are often linked to eye injury and diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes.

Sun exposure, smoking and severe dehydration can also contribute to the development of cataracts.

Babies can be born with cataracts. This is thought to be caused through genetics or through the mother contracting an infectious disease like measles while pregnant.

In poor countries, being blind can mean you really are the poorest of the poor.

You can’t work or support your family. You even have difficulty moving around. Usually you are forced to beg for a living.

Most people who are blind die early.

During 2008, CBM projects restored the sight of 663,680 people through the provision of a cataract operation.

Cataract Facts

• Cataracts is responsible for 48% of world blindness. The number one cause!
• There are estimated to be almost 18 million who are blind from cataract.
  
• Each year over a million more go blind due to cataract.
• 85% of the world’s cataract blind people live in developing countries.
• CBM are world leaders in providing cataract operations for those who are desperately poor.

Nana’s story

When Nana was 15 months old, a CBM field worker came to visit her village as part of a mobile eye clinic. Her mum Hassamou was told Nana was blind with cataracts in both her tiny eyes.

That’s what our care workers do. They go out to the most remote areas and find children like Nana.

The fact is, in poor countries like those in Africa most children who are blind die within two years. It’s hard enough being desperately poor, let alone trying to survive if you’re blind.

Baby Nana needed a miracle.

A miracle cataract operation through CBM is more than sight restored. Nana can share something special with her mother. “Nana can see me,” says Hassamou.

Hassamou is delighted as she understands the difference this will make in her little girl’s future. The community will respect her now. They will stop calling her ‘The Blind Nana’.”