OBJECTIVES::  There is a lack in information in Mexico regarding to cataract prevalence estimation, unmeet surgery needs and resource allocation to meet this need. The aim of this study is to present the expected financial requirements to treat cataract in Mexico from the analysis of public secondary sources. METHODS::  Through a literature review and a critical analysis cataract prevalence (CP) was extracted from three different sources and were standardized to 2015 Intercensal National Survey, using assumptions we assessed the cataract patient affiliation, number of surgeries (NS) and access to health institutions; subsequently, a multi-scenario comparison was done for unmeet of cataract surgery (CS), its costs and the financial requirement in terms of public Health Expenditure (PHE). RESULTS:: The population of Mexico in 2015 is 119,530,753 applying reported rates and standardizing them to the population older than 65 years, prevalence varies from 6.2% to 8.2% (533,515; and 703,152, respectively) of which; 82% is covered by at least one of the institutions of the system. The NS reported by OCDE (83,868) has an associated cost of $53,738,040 USD; It is necessary to invest $280,913,188 USD to cover the unsatisfied demand of CS in affiliated population (438,416), which represents less than one percent (0.78%) of the PHE. CONCLUSIONS:: We found high heterogeneity in CP, CS reports, which may decrease the quality of the information recorded, however, if the different health care models remain as they are, the financial consequences would be catastrophic in terms of social cost and the pocket of users. The local data reported here, can help payers to establish best routes for resource allocation.