This information was announced by Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, on 13/7 in Hanoi, during a conference to launch a support project for older adults and initiate the humanitarian program "MB Clear Vision for the Elderly". The event was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly and various hospitals to address this issue.

Statistics from the health sector show that Vietnam currently has about 2 million blind people, with cataracts being the leading cause. Each year, the country records an additional 150,000 new cases, primarily among the over-50 age group.

The rapid increase in this condition is exerting immense pressure on the healthcare system as Vietnam's population ages quickly. In 2024, the country had approximately 14.2 million people aged 60 and above, a number projected to reach 18 million by 2030.

To alleviate this burden, the "Clear Vision for the Elderly" program for the 2025-2028 period aims to screen over 90% of older adults for eye conditions. It also plans to provide timely surgical support for 100% of cases requiring cataract treatment, prioritizing those in difficult circumstances.

At the event, Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) contributed 5 billion VND from the MB Charitable Social Fund to support the program. Lieutenant Colonel Chu Hai Cong, representing the bank, stated that this funding will directly cover eye examinations, screenings, and surgeries for older adults from poor and near-poor households, solitary individuals, ethnic minorities, and people in remote areas. This collaboration provides specialized hospitals with additional resources to reach vulnerable groups early, preventing avoidable blindness.

Medically, cataracts are defined as a condition where proteins in the eye's lens change and clump together, obstructing light from reaching the retina and causing vision impairment. As the disease progresses silently with natural aging, patients often find it difficult to detect in the early stages. Huynh Le Duc, General Director of Sai Gon Medical Group, emphasized that the biggest barrier currently is community awareness. Many families still view blurry vision in older adults as a natural part of aging, unaware that surgery can fully restore vision if treated at the right time.

Older adults receive free eye examinations at the program. Photo: Khanh Linh

Cataracts occur when proteins in the lens change and clump over time, causing the lens to gradually lose its transparency, obstructing light entry, and reducing vision. The disease often progresses silently, leading many to discover it only when their vision is severely blurred. The risk of developing cataracts increases with age due to the body's natural aging process.

Doctors advise that if individuals notice signs such as blurry or hazy vision, glare, or difficulty seeing at night, they should take their relatives to a specialized medical facility for immediate examination. Maintaining regular eye examinations is the most effective solution for early detection of eye conditions and protecting the vision of older adults.

Le Nga