World Glaucoma Week highlights risks of undetected vision loss
Health officials warn that glaucoma, known as the ‘silent thief of sight’, can cause blindness if not detected early.
As World Glaucoma Week runs from March 8 to 14, the Gauteng Department of Health is encouraging all residents to take steps to protect their eyesight and prevent vision loss.
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Department spokesperson Kealeboga Mohajane said glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because it can cause irreversible blindness without early warning signs.
“The condition damages the optic nerve and often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Many people may gradually lose their vision without realising it until the damage is already severe,” she explained.
According to a global report by the World Health Organisation, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide live with some form of vision impairment, with around one billion cases considered preventable.
Mohajane said conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors remain among the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide.
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, said glaucoma is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness, largely because it often develops without warning signs.
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She urged residents, particularly those over the age of 40 and people living with chronic conditions, to undergo regular eye examinations to protect their eyesight.
As part of efforts to combat avoidable vision impairment and reduce the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors, Mohajane said the department has made notable progress in expanding access to spectacles across the province.
She added that during the third quarter of the 2025/ 26 financial year, the department exceeded its targets for issuing spectacles, achieving 102% for adults and 75% for children, compared to a target of 70%.
Mohajane again encouraged residents to have regular eye examinations, saying this remains the most effective way to detect glaucoma early and protect eyesight.
Through improved access to eye health services and increased public awareness, the department remains committed to protecting the vision of communities and reducing preventable blindness across the province,” she concluded.
