The waiting game : Operation Cataract

Abstract

Cataract is a world-wide major cause of visual handicap and blindness. Prevention is not yet technically possible, but modern cataract surgery offers a quick, safe and effective means of restoring vision. A major international effort is being made to reduce the formidable backlog of cases in many develop ing countries. It is a disturbina fact that in Britain many people have to wait years for cataract surgery on the National Health Service, while in certain other European countries waiting lists are almost unknown. Emphasising the seriousness o f the problem, this article describes how it has been success fully tackled at a local level by 'Operation Cataract' and suggests that this approach could be adopted on a much wider scale.