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Global prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of cataract in 204 countries and territories: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Eye volume 39, pages 1737–1743 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness globally, significantly impair vision and quality of life, particularly among the elderly. Despite advancements in cataract surgery, challenges in accessibility and economic disparities hinder the reduction of cataract burden, especially in low-income regions. This study examines the global prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to cataracts from 1990 to 2021, providing insights to inform public health strategies.

Methods

Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, we analysed cataract prevalence and YLDs across 204 countries and territories. The estimates were stratified by age, sex, region, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and compared across different time periods. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were calculated to evaluate trends.

Results

From 1990 to 2021, the global YLDs due to cataracts increased from 3.42 million to 6.55 million, a 91.8% rise. Most countries exhibited an increase in YLDs, with notable surges in low-SDI regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The AAPC for age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was slightly positive globally, while the age-standardized YLD rate (ASYR) showed a decreasing trend, indicating improved cataract management. High-SDI regions experienced minor ASPR increases but significant ASYR reductions, reflecting effective interventions. Conversely, low-SDI regions saw declines in both ASPR and ASYR, though disparities persisted.

Conclusion

The burden of cataracts remains substantial, with significant increases in YLDs driven by aging populations and improved diagnostic capabilities. Effective management strategies have reduced ASYRs, particularly in high-SDI regions. Addressing cataract burden in low-SDI regions requires enhanced healthcare access, targeted public health interventions, and global support. These findings underscore the need for continued investment in cataract prevention and treatment to mitigate the global impact.

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Fig. 1: Age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) of cataract by region in 1990, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Fig. 2: Age-standardized years lived with disability rates (ASYRs) of cataract by region in 1990, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Fig. 3: Age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) and age-standardized years lived with disability rates (ASYRs) of cataract by Social Development Index (SDI) from 1990 to 2021.
Fig. 4: Correlation between age and cataract prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) in 2021.
Fig. 5: Age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) and age-standardized years lived with disability rates (ASYRs) of cataract by gender in 2021.

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Data availability

All data utilized in this study are publicly accessible through the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDX) at the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 portal. The specific datasets and results can be accessed via the following link: http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Min Li, Wenchang Jia, Jianling Song, Jiayi Ma.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Min Li, Yanping Zhou & Xiangwu Chen

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

    Min Li

  3. Department of Health Management Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Wenchang Jia, Yan Han, Minghui Peng, Jing Zhou & Xiaopan Li

  4. School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Wenchang Jia

  5. Department of General Practice, Changfeng Community Health Service Center, Changfeng Street, Putuo District, Shanghai, China

    Jianling Song

  6. The Fifth Clinical College of Medical, Xinxiang Medical University, Henan, China

    Jiayi Ma

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Contributions

ML and XL conceived and designed the study. WJ, JM, YH, MP, JZ, and YZ conducted the data analysis and visualization. XC and XL provided supervision and project administration. ML drafted the manuscript. All authors critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. ML, WJ and JM contributed equally to this work. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

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Correspondence to Xiangwu Chen or Xiaopan Li.

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Li, M., Jia, W., Song, J. et al. Global prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of cataract in 204 countries and territories: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Eye 39, 1737–1743 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-03743-z

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