Question 7: Do patients and the general population have access to reliable information about cataract and cataract surgery?
In high-income countries, patients generally have access to a large amount of reliable information through hospitals, eye clinics, professional societies, patient organisations, and government health websites.
In many countries, misconceptions include:
Cataract is a normal and untreatable part of ageing.
Cataracts should only be removed when a person is nearly blind.
Surgery is dangerous and frequently causes blindness.
Traditional practices such as couching are safer or cheaper alternatives.
Vision loss is due to supernatural causes.
Many people are unaware of trusted sources and instead rely on:
Family and friends
Community beliefs
Social media
Local healers
Previous experiences in the community
In LMICs, many people who need cataract surgery do not have access to information that is understandable, trusted, relevant to their circumstances, and sufficient to make informed decisions.
What is the situation like in your country?
Best wishes, Neil
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