World Retina Week, celebrated annually from September 23 to 29, highlights the vulnerabilities of the retina, a delicate and crucial tissue at the back of the eye that functions like the light-sensitive film in a camera, capturing visual information and sending it to the brain.

Parys Gazette reports that many people do not realise conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) pose significant risks to the retina itself. This national awareness campaign, run annually by Retina South Africa, stresses that maintaining long-term visual health requires more than just correcting blurry vision; it involves understanding and protecting the essential structures of the eye.

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness notes that, according to research, one in two people will have myopia by 2050, with nearly one in 10 at risk of developing high myopia.

Expert optometrist Eela Makan from SpecSavers South Africa explains how myopia affects the eye:
“When you have myopia, your eyeball grows too long, this thinning of the retina is where the real danger lies. A stretched retina is weaker and more prone to long term damage.”

While the exact causes are not fully understood, a lack of outdoor light exposure, particularly in childhood, is strongly linked to an increased elongation of the eyeball. Some research also suggests a link between extended screen time and close-up activities. Over time, this can lead to serious conditions such as damage to central vision (affecting tasks like reading), retinal tears and detachment and glaucoma.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than one billion people worldwide live with a preventable near or distance vision impairment. This highlights the vital importance of early detection, which can help save sight.

Regular eye tests are essential for protecting vision, even when retinal conditions cannot be cured.

“Via regular eye tests, an optometrist can spot the early signs of a stretched or damaged retina. This allows for early intervention, often with simple procedures, resulting in the prevention of vision loss,” Makan recommends.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.