[The cataract in Bangladesh. Epidemiology--treatment]

The Bangladesh, earth of mud and water, is one of the most poor countries in the world. And it is a fact that the very special geographical, climatical and vital statistics are the victims of certain endemic diseases. For the most part, the diarrheoïcal diseases are prevailing. From the ophthalmologic point of view, avitaminosis A is the major risk factor during the childhood. However, as in many other countries, the prime cause of blindness is the cataract. This disease is surgically curable. The treatment is affected by the lack of surgeons and the big number of cases. An example of therapeutic strategy is presented by B.N.S.B.: Bangladesh National Society for the Blind.