The Fred Hollows Foundation, which works mostly in developing countries to restore sight to people with cataracts, said decreases in the ozone layer could lead to more exposure to ultraviolet rays, one of the most common causes of cataract blindness.
"The three main risk factors that lead to cataract blindness are age, smoking and UV exposure, in that order," Andreas Mueller of the foundation told Agence France Presse.
The foundation advised parents to protect the eyesight of children who spend long periods of time outdoors, often without sunglasses.
A cataract is an opacity that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope. The most effective and common treatment is to surgically remove the cloudy lens.
Cataracts are responsible for almost 50 percent of cases of avoidable blindness worldwide.
