Cataract in India – A Growing Public Health Concern
Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness in India, especially among people over the age of 50. With increasing life expectancy and an aging population, millions of Indians develop cataracts every year. Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures, restoring clear vision and improving quality of life.
Early diagnosis and timely cataract surgery can restore vision, improve independence, and significantly enhance quality of life. Modern phacoemulsification surgery with advanced intraocular lenses offers safe, painless, and rapid visual recovery for most patients.
Estimated Cataract Surgeries in India (2021–2025)
(Figures are in Millions)
The Government of India exceeded its FY2022–23 cataract surgery target by performing over 8.34 million surgeries, and FY2023–24 crossed 9.02 million surgeries under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). Independent industry estimates indicate that India performs approximately 14–16 million cataract surgeries annually when both public and private sectors are included.