Dear HIFA colleagues,
We welcome you to our HIFA Spotlight: Cataract Blindness, Surgical Quality, and the Value of Simulation-Based Training, 8-14 October 2026, in partnership with HelpMeSee. HelpMeSee increases access to quality eye care worldwide to meet the rising demand for cataract surgery in low-income countries.
Over the next 7 days we shall explore one of the most important challenges in global health: how to restore sight to millions of people living with cataract. Please forward this message to your contacts and networks and invite them to join the conversation (free): hifa.org/joinhifa
Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness globally, despite the fact that cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures in medicine. Millions of people have had their sight restored, yet millions more still lack access to timely, affordable, high-quality care.
This Spotlight provides an opportunity to share experiences, evidence, innovations and challenges from different countries and settings. Whether you are an ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon, nurse, primary health worker, researcher, educator, policymaker, patient advocate, or someone with personal experience of cataract, we warmly encourage you to introduce yourself and contribute to the discussion.
We invite discussion around seven questions:
1. What is the burden of cataract worldwide and in different countries?
Cataract affects more than 94 million people globally and remains the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective interventions in medicine, around half of those who need surgery still do not have access to it. The highest cataract burden is concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where access to surgery remains limited.
2. Who performs cataract surgery?
Different health systems rely on different workforce models. In some countries cataract surgery is performed exclusively by ophthalmologists, while others also employ non-physician cataract surgeons and other cadres. What can we learn from these different approaches?
3. What is the availability and quality of cataract surgery?
Access and quality go hand in hand. How available is cataract surgery in different settings? What are the main barriers? How do programmes measure and improve surgical outcomes and patient experience?
4. How does simulation-based training work? How can we maximise the benefits?
Simulation is increasingly recognised as an important tool for developing surgical skills in a safe learning environment. What has been the experience with simulation-based training, and how can it best be integrated into cataract surgery education?
5. What international guidance is available from WHO and other international bodies? How is national policy developed and implemented?
A range of guidance and recommendations exists to support eye-care programmes. What lessons can be learned from policy development and implementation?
6. What information resources are available for training?
Educational materials range from textbooks and manuals to online courses, videos and simulation resources. Which resources have proved most useful, and where are the remaining gaps?
7. Do patients and the general population have access to reliable information about cataract and cataract surgery?
Accurate information can help people recognise symptoms, make informed choices, and overcome fear or misconceptions about surgery. What resources are available, and how can public understanding be improved?
Would you like to comment or expand on any of the above?
We particularly encourage members to begin by introducing themselves, telling us about their role, country and experience related to cataract services, training, research, policy or patient care. Short contributions are very welcome. A brief observation, question, example or personal experience can often stimulate valuable discussion. To contribute, just send an email to: hifa@hifaforums.org
For background information about this Spotlight, including objectives, key resources and the discussion schedule, please visit:
www.hifa.org/cataract
We look forward to a vibrant discussion and to learning from the collective experience of HIFA members worldwide.
With thanks and best wishes,
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA
&
Van Lansingh, HelpMeSee
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
HIFA profile: Van Lansingh is the Chief Research Officer of HelpMeSee and a member of the Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease, with special interest in Cataract Surgery and Simulation-Based Training. vancharles AT helpmesee.org