June marks Cataract Awareness Month, highlighting one of the world's leading causes of vision impairment — and one of the most treatable. Find out how EssilorLuxottica is addressing this issue.

Cataracts affect 65 million people worldwide^[1], accounting for almost 45% of all cases of blindness^[2]. As populations age, the demand for cataract treatment continues to grow, making efficient, high-quality care more important than ever.

What is a cataract?

A cataract develops when the eye's natural lens gradually becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty performing everyday activities such as reading or driving. While ageing is the most common cause, risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, excessive UV exposure, and previous eye injuries can also contribute. In its early stages, vision changes may be managed with updated spectacles or improved lighting, but when cataracts begin to affect quality of life, surgery is the most effective treatment. During the procedure, the clouded natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), restoring clearer vision.

From diagnosis and surgical planning to treatment and recovery, successful cataract care depends on a coordinated approach that supports patients at every stage of the journey.

Connecting every stage of care

EssilorLuxottica supports clinicians and patients throughout the cataract journey by bringing together advanced diagnostics, surgical technologies, clinical expertise and ocular surface management into a seamless continuum of care.

This begins with accurate diagnosis and meticulous surgical planning. Heidelberg Engineering's anterior segment imaging platform integrates high-resolution Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, biometry, IOL planning, and comprehensive corneal analysis in one device, enabling clinicians to make confident, well-informed decisions even in the most complex cases. Combined with its retinal imaging platform and an integrated IT suite, doctors gain access to comprehensive insights that support efficient planning and personalized care.

Espansione Group's Light Modulation Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) photobiomodulation technology has shown early, promising results in optimizing the ocular surface ahead of surgery. Improving ocular surface health before the procedure can enhance diagnostic accuracy and help minimize surgical stress on the eye. Following surgery, LLLT has also been shown to support ocular surface recovery, contributing to greater patient comfort and a smoother healing process. These benefits have been observed in both healthy patients and, in particular, those with pre-existing ocular surface disease.

During the surgical phase, Heidelberg Engineering's innovative digital ophthalmic surgical microscope provides high-quality visualization throughout the procedure. Cataract surgery is performed in EssilorLuxottica’s specialized clinical network, including Optegra and Signifeye clinics, with highly experienced surgeons who use the most advanced methods, such as drop-free surgery, to improve patient convenience and clinical outcomes.

This Cataract Awareness Month, the Company reaffirms its commitment to advancing eye health by providing clinicians with innovative technologies and helping more people benefit from timely diagnosis, effective treatment and enhanced visual outcomes.

_^[1]_{World Health Organization, World Report on Vision, "With moderate to severe vision impairment," p. 26, Geneva: World Health Organization, 2019,}_{https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-vision}_.

_^[2]_{Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study, The Lancet Global Health, 2021,}_{https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30489-7}_.