Nearly 80% of blindness in Bangladesh caused by cataracts, 10 lakh people await surgery: Experts

Highlights

• Around 10 lakh people awaiting cataract surgery nationwide
• More than 1.3 lakh new blinding cataract cases added to backlog each year
• Experts call for more trained surgeons, stronger eye care services

Cataracts account for nearly 80% of all bilateral blindness cases in Bangladesh, with around 10 lakh people currently awaiting surgery, according to experts.

The findings were presented at an awareness seminar today (30 June), organised by the Bangladesh Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (BSCRS) at the Super Specialised Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University to mark Cataract Awareness Month 2026.

Presenting the keynote paper, BSCRS Secretary General Dr ASM Moin Uddin said cataracts are responsible for 79.6% of bilateral blindness in Bangladesh, significantly higher than the global average of 51%. 

He said the country’s cataract surgery backlog has reached around 10 lakh patients, with more than 1.3 lakh new blinding cataract cases added each year.

Dr Moin also said that of an estimated 40,000 blind children in Bangladesh, around 12,000 have treatable childhood cataracts but have yet to undergo surgery.

Although Bangladesh has more than 2,200 registered ophthalmologists, only about 1,200 are qualified to perform cataract surgery, he said, adding that the country also has only six cataract surgery training centres, far fewer than required to meet the growing demand.

“At present, each qualified cataract surgeon is responsible for nearly 833 patients waiting for surgery. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to reduce the surgical backlog,” he said.

He stressed that preventable blindness cannot be effectively reduced without training more skilled cataract surgeons and strengthening eye care services across the country.

Speaking as the chief guest, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr SM Ziauddin Haider said cataracts remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Bangladesh despite the availability of effective treatment.

He said timely diagnosis and modern cataract surgery can restore complete or near-complete vision in most patients, underscoring the need to improve public awareness and expand quality eye care services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“While cataracts account for around 51% of blindness globally, the figure is nearly 80% in Bangladesh,” he said.

Dr Haider said Bangladesh’s healthcare system has traditionally focused on treatment rather than prevention, limiting opportunities for early diagnosis. He added that the government is working to shift towards a preventive healthcare model.

As part of that effort, he said, primary healthcare services will be strengthened through union-level health centres and community health workers to promote regular health screening and early detection of eye diseases and other chronic illnesses.

Experts at the seminar urged people aged 40 and above to undergo regular eye examinations and advised anyone experiencing blurred vision, declining eyesight or other symptoms of cataracts to seek medical advice from an ophthalmologist without delay.