Researchers analysing Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data reported blindness-related burden will continue to increase as populations age. The analysis, published in The Lancet Global Health, assessed prevalence and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates across six major causes of vision loss: glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, refraction disorders, near-vision loss and other vision loss. In 2021, global age-standardised prevalence of blindness reached 15,784.3 cases per 100,000 people, with an age-standardised DALY rate of 342.8 per 100,000. Regional patterns varied, with southern sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the highest prevalence and South Asia recording the highest DALY rate. Notably, glaucoma imposed a higher burden on males and cataract DALY rates linked to household air pollution fell by around 38% over the 1990–2021 study period. 

“Lower-sociodemographic regions are projected to see the greatest increases in vision loss by 2050," they said, calling for sustained investment in cataract services, glaucoma detection and management, refractive error correction and public health measures aimed at major modifiable risks.