The government of the Tibet autonomous region plans to provide free surgery to more than 3,000 cataract patients this year, the Disabled Persons' Federation of the Tibet autonomous region said on Monday.

The Tibetan plateau has one of the highest incidences of blindness in the world, with the majority caused by cataracts. Factors such as the high altitude, harsh ultraviolet rays and poor health care can be key causes of eye problems, said Wangchen Gelek, a vice-chairman of the Disabled Persons’ Federation.

"According to our statistics in recent years, most patients with eye diseases are farmers and herdsmen from rural areas of the region," he said.

On average, there are almost 4,000 new cataract patients in the region each year, he said.

All medical costs will be paid by the regional financial department and the Yu Penghua Social Welfare Foundation, with an estimated investment of more than 600,000 yuan ($96,770).

Wangchen Gelek said more than 15,000 cataract patients will be treated between 2011 and 2015.