cataracts are a 'social disease', say eye doctors

Since cataract is a progressive disease, it will usually result in blindness if nothing is done about it. A few days ago, I again asked my eye doctor why the eye profession has chosen to abandon cataract sufferers who can't or don't want to undergo cataract surgery, leaving them to go blind. In a surprising new turn of phrase, she then informed me that cataracts are "social blindness", and quite distinct from "medical blindness". She continued: "At University, we only learn how to treat "medical blindness", therefore we don't have to do anything about "social blindness". So don't any of you worry any more. Blindness is nothing to worry about as long as it's "social blindness"! Perhaps we should rename the 'Cataract Forum' as the 'Social Blindness Forum'?