Unknown to many, cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the country, with an estimated half a million Filipinos unnecessarily suffering from the affliction. According to the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology, about 9,000 Filipinos are estimated to be getting blind every year because of cataract, and may be increased if there are no interventions such as early detection and surgery.

Cataract, which is defined as the opacification or clouding of the lens of the eye that affects vision, usually affects people ages 60 years old and above. There is no known medication for cataract because it comes with age, and usually progresses with time.

These days, some patients are hesitant to undergo cataract extraction because of the misconception like the length of the surgery and the recuperation period.

“Some patients will only submit themselves for check-up or operation when they no longer able to see. What we usually advise our patients are, not to wait until they’re already blind. They should submit themselves for operation when they feel they’re incapacitated to do their daily activities,” said Dr. Leonardo Mangubat, fellow and associate professor in ophthalmology at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Dr. Mangubat warned that cataract cannot be treated with simple eye drops. What is recommended is the extraction of cataract or the removal of the old lens altogether, and the replacement of new lens to be able to see clearer images.