June marks Cataract Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens in the eye, which leads to blurry or hazy vision. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 20.5 million (17.2%) Americans aged 40 years and older have cataract in one or both eyes.
At SEE International, we’re reminded daily of the impact cataracts can have on individuals and their families. This month, we had the privilege of sitting down with two local patients, Imelda and Sandra, at our Santa Barbara headquarters to hear about their experience with cataracts and share their journeys toward restored vision.
Imelda’s Story
At 57 years old, Imelda Nuñez explained how cataracts gradually dimmed her world. A mother of three grown children, her worsening condition affected her ability to complete day-to-day tasks with ease. Over the course of six years, she watched her eyesight deteriorate little by little—especially in her right eye—until even recognizing family members and driving became difficult.
“When I had cataracts, it was very stressful for me because I couldn’t do my activities at home properly. . . [and] if I can’t drive, I have to stay at home and can’t do anything,” she shared.
Fortunately, Imelda was referred to our local SEE Vision Care (SVC) program through our partners at Samsun Clinic and had her sight restored free of cost. After her cataract surgery, her life changed for the better. She can now see her family and drive without fear, regaining her confidence and independence.
For Imelda, having her vision restored was essential: “Everything in our body is important, but vision is the most important,” she said. Imelda expressed the importance of seeking help with vision problems, as doing so can help detect conditions like cataracts early: “There is help available, and by asking for help, anything is possible.”
Sandra’s Story
Sandra, 52, first noticed her vision worsening about two years ago. As a mother of two, she faced growing challenges as her cataracts advanced. Just like Imelda, basic tasks like driving or reading became difficult and risky:
“When I had [cataracts], I couldn’t see street signs clearly while driving. I couldn’t recognize people’s faces from far away,” she recalled. “[Sight is important] for everything. For driving, reading, seeing, for so many things.”
Sandra first heard about SVC through a friend who recommended that she seek help for her condition. After being connected to our local clinic, she received the care she desperately needed. And now, thanks to her free cataract surgery, Sandra drives confidently and can recognize her loved ones again:
“After the surgery, it was much better. I can drive, and I can see people now,” she said. She hopes that by sharing her story, others in need will feel encouraged to seek care: “People who suffer from cataracts should get surgery, because eyesight is very important.”
Why Cataract Awareness Month Matters
Stories like Imelda’s and Sandra’s show why Cataract Awareness Month deserves attention and action. Cataracts don’t just affect vision; they impact independence, livelihood, and overall quality of life. And they affect people right here in our own community. But thanks to our SEE Vision Care program, life-changing surgery is within reach for those who need it most.
