iarjsIARJSIARJS2789-610210.47310/iarjc.2025.v05i01.003Cataract Confusion: How Much Do People Really Know About This Leading Cause of Vision Loss?Background: Cataract remains the leading cause of preventable blindness globally, disproportionately affecting rural and underserved populations. Despite accessible surgical interventions, persistent misconceptions and limited public awareness delay diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluated public knowledge, prevalent misconceptions and healthcare-seeking behaviors related to cataracts in Himachal Pradesh, India. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults in Himachal Pradesh from October to December 2024. Convenience and purposive sampling via electronic platforms facilitated participant recruitment. A structured, bilingual questionnaire collected socio-demographic information, cataract-specific knowledge and healthcare-seeking behavior. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (SPSS v26.0, significance p<0.05). Results: Participants were primarily aged 26-45 years (63.8%), evenly divided by gender (51.0% female), predominantly rural residents (57.3%) and educated to at least secondary (31.8%) or undergraduate levels (33.5%). While most (79.3%) understood cataracts as lens clouding, fewer recognized the lens as the affected part (65.3%) or identified vitamin C’s preventive role (64.8%). Knowledge classification indicated 37.3% had "Very Good," 40.3% "Good," 17.3% "Fair," and 5.3% "Poor" awareness, with notable deficits among rural and less-educated groups. Conclusion: Although general awareness about cataracts in Himachal Pradesh is adequate, targeted, culturally-sensitive education and improved rural eye-care services are crucial to addressing remaining knowledge gaps and reducing preventable blindness.