Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness
This year’s theme is about the gift of sight.
MBOMBELA – Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the country and are responsible for about 50 per cent of such cases.
As a result it has been identified as a national health priority.
Eye-care Awareness week is from October 7 to 11 and World Sight Day on October 10.
This will serve as an opportunity to educate South Africans about common and preventable causes of blindness, most significantly, cataracts.
This year’s theme is about the gift of sight.
“Cataract surgery can make a dramatic difference in the lives of patients. Their vision can be restored with a life-changing procedure that can take as little as 5 to 15 minutes,” said ophthalmologist Prof Trevor Carmichael of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
He added that routine eye checks and screening can detect the presence of cataracts and recommends that everyone over the age of 40 should have their eyes tested once a year.
The most common symptoms are:
• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colours seem faded
• Glare – headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright, a halo may appear around lights
• Poor night vision
• Double vision or multiple images in one eye, although this symptom may clear as the cataracts get larger.
• Frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses.
The high prevalence of cataracts in the country has resulted in a severe backlog of patients requiring surgery, with the goal of 1 500 operations per million people not being achieved within the public sector.
Communities across the globe are urged to take care of their vision and to help others do the same. By being educated and spreading the message, people can help eliminate barriers and reduce the incidence of preventable blindness and visual impairment.
Don’t lose sight of cataracts- encourage people to have their eyes tested.
