What is a Cataract?
Cataracts are the clouding of the lens in the eye; its very common in older people and may affect vision. Most cataracts are related to aging, smoking and diabetes. The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses but at later stages, surgery is the only effective treatment.
Cataract removal is one of the most common operations and one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in developed countries. 90 percent of people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward. However, people in underdeveloped nations do not have access to such eye care; the problem is much more acute in refugee populations who do not have access even to basic healthcare.
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