Update on cataract and its management in Africa

Abstract

Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment, contributing to approximately half of all causes of blindness in Africa. Epidemiologically, the prevalence and incidence of cataract varies considerably across Africa owing to a number of factors. The large number of Rapid Assessments of Avoidable Blindness surveys have provided considerable information on surgical coverage and on the outcomes of surgery. The surveys indicate, however, that the outcomes are less than ideal; the reasons for the poor outcomes are multiple and complex. The current human resources for cataract surgery in Africa are inadequate. The evidence suggests, however, that current nonphysician cataract surgeons have low levels of productivity and are unlikely to ‘solve’ the problem of cataract across Africa. Over the coming 8 years, in order to reach the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness, two key priorities will be improving the quality of surgery and expanding surgical services to areas currently not covered.

Keywords::

• barriers
• blindness
• cataract
• cataract surgery
• outcome
• prevalence
• RAAB

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.