Bangladesh’s rural women face steep barriers as cataract backlog reaches 1 million

Bangladesh has about 1 million people awaiting cataract surgery, with rural women facing some of the steepest barriers to treatment, according to the Bangladesh Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (BSCRS).

A national assessment found cataract surgical coverage was 76.6% among men and 64.3% among women. A 2025 study in Chattogram also found women were nearly twice as likely as men to report having no one to accompany them for surgery.

Bangladesh has more than 2,200 registered ophthalmologists, but only about 1,200 actively perform cataract operations, and an estimated 400 to 500 have extensive high-volume experience.

Government has launched a five-year plan to clear the backlog, including surgeon training, equipment upgrades, and awareness campaigns aimed at families.

“We will provide equipment and trained personnel where necessary,” state minister for health Dr MA Muhit said to the Daily Star.