Cataract Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every June
Holiday emoji:: 👁️

Cataract Awareness Month takes place throughout June, dedicated to educating the public about cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. This campaign highlights that while cataracts are common, especially after age 40, they are treatable with highly successful surgical procedures. Take action by scheduling an eye exam, learning about risk factors, and supporting vision health organizations.

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Expected Cataract Awareness Month Deals

Throughout Cataract Awareness Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to vital fundraising and awareness initiatives. Organizations like the Prevent Blindness and the American Academy of Ophthalmology partner with corporate sponsors to fund research and provide patient education. Look for opportunities to donate to vision health charities, participate in virtual walks or runs, and support companies that match donations. Many optical retailers, such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, may offer free or discounted cataract screenings or educational materials in partnership with local ophthalmologists. Pharmaceutical companies like Alcon and Johnson & Johnson Vision often launch educational campaigns about cataract treatment options. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as June approaches.

Platform Guide for Cataract Awareness Month

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CataractAwarenessMonth. Share personal stories, educational infographics, and live Q&A sessions with eye care professionals.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #CataractAwarenessMonth. Engage in conversations about eye health, share breaking news on research, and retweet messages from leading vision organizations.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CataractAwarenessMonth. Connect with ophthalmology professionals, share industry insights, and highlight corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Cataract Awareness Month Hero

Dr. Charles Kelman

Dr. Charles Kelman (1930-2004) was an American ophthalmologist who revolutionized cataract surgery. He invented phacoemulsification, a technique that uses ultrasonic waves to break up cataracts, allowing for their removal through a small incision. This minimally invasive procedure significantly reduced recovery time and improved outcomes for millions of patients, becoming the standard of care worldwide.

History of Cataract Awareness Month

Cataract Awareness Month was pioneered by the organization Prevent Blindness. It was established in 1908 when a community of doctors realized that 30% of cases of blindness in children were highly preventable or treatable, but no actions were being taken. Prevent Blindness, a trailblazer in the eye-care industry, went on to spearhead and get many legislations approved that would aid in preventing eye diseases in infants and age-related vision problems in adults. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 30 million Americans suffer from cataracts. This figure is projected to grow to 39 million by 2032. This is alarming because cataracts are highly treatable, yet people continue to suffer through them due to a lack of knowledge.

Cataracts are an eye condition where the lens of one or both eyes becomes covered with cloudy areas. This impedes vision because the light entering your eyes is prevented from being bent by the lens of your eye due to the cloudy film covering it. Symptoms of cataracts include seeing halos around lights, faded colors, blurry vision, and trouble in driving, reading, or doing other tasks. Many people also suffer from depression and anxiety due to the stress they are facing because of their failing eyesight. The most successful treatment for cataracts is surgery whereby the doctors remove the damaged lens and replace it with an artificial one. You can also prevent cataracts by regularly getting your eyes checked.

Cataract Awareness Month timeline

29 A.D.

Cataract and Treatment

Cataracts and their treatments are mentioned in the medical treatise “De Medicinae.”

10th Century

Bronze Oral Treatment

Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi describes the bronze oral suction method for cataract extraction, attributing the treatment to a second-century Greek physician.

1747

First Cataract Extraction Surgery

French surgeon Jacques Daviel performs the first cataract extraction surgery with a 50% success rate.

1995

Organizations Release an Adult Vision Screening Program

Prevent Blindness and its associates release training programs related to adult vision and photo screening.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Cataract Awareness Month

Local businesses can honor Cataract Awareness Month by promoting eye health within their communities. Optical shops and optometrists can offer free or discounted screenings and educational materials throughout June. Pharmacies might highlight products that support eye health, such as vitamins or protective eyewear. Companies can host ‘lunch and learn’ sessions with eye care professionals for their employees, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and early detection. Partnering with local vision charities for a donation drive or awareness campaign also provides a meaningful way to engage.

Cataract Awareness Month FAQs

When is Cataract Awareness Month?

Cataract Awareness Month runs throughout June 2026, from Monday, June 1, to Tuesday, June 30. It’s a dedicated period to learn about cataract prevention, symptoms, and treatment options.

How many people are affected by cataracts?

Cataracts are a widespread condition, affecting over 24.4 million Americans aged 40 and older, according to the CDC. By age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts, making it a leading cause of vision impairment globally.

What are the common symptoms of cataracts?

Common symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, sensitivity to light and glare, seeing ‘halos’ around lights, frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription, and fading or yellowing of colors.

Can cataracts be prevented?

While cataracts cannot be entirely prevented, certain lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk or slow their progression. These include protecting your eyes from UV light with sunglasses, quitting smoking, managing diabetes, and eating a diet rich in antioxidants.

How To Observe Cataract Awareness Month

Find out about cataracts
Learn about the different causes and treatments of cataracts. You can also research preventative measures related to this eye condition because, after all, as they say, prevention is better than cure.
Participate in cataract-related events
Many talk shows, charity runs, and poster exhibitions related to cataracts give a significant amount of information about the disease. You can participate and engage in them to increase awareness about it so that more and more people talk about it.
Donate to organizations
People suffering from cataracts in developing countries have a lot to lose if they receive no treatment. One family member with a cataract can lead to the whole family sinking into poverty if the afflicted family member happens to be the sole breadwinner. Consider donating to organizations that help with treatments in developing countries. If you cannot donate, spread the word about these organizations.

5 Facts About Eyes That Will Blow Your Mind

Four million blinks a year
The human eyes blink a total of 4,200,000 times every year.
Brown eyes are blue
The wonders of science show that brown eyes are actually blue from underneath.
Seeing in light and dark
Your eyes have 7 million cone cells that help you see colors while the 100 million rod cells help with seeing in the dark.
Babies don’t have tears
Newborn babies do not produce any tears when they cry for the first six weeks of their lives.
Jelly-like liquid to keep eyes healthy
Your eyes are filled with a jelly-like fluid called vitreous humor, which is necessary to keep your eyes healthy and functioning.

Why We Love Cataract Awareness Month

It’s a celebration of sight
The ability to see the world clearly and in all its glory is something we shouldn’t take for granted. Millions upon millions of cells perform complex operations in our eyes to allow us the gift of sight. We should take care of it and appreciate our glorious vision for what it is.
It’s a celebration of science
Science has not only explained to us how intricately our eyes can work, but it has also revealed to us the many ways we can repair and treat them in case things go south. Medical advancements have ensured that about 80% of all eye diseases are treatable and can be prevented. The only condition being we take the necessary steps to appreciate and care for them.
It’s a celebration of hope
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Everything might seem dark now, but soon things will start changing for the better. We can keep hope alive by continuing to educate ourselves and others. The more awareness there is around cataracts, the more hope can be spread.