Vision loss on the rise in South Africa
South Africans at increasing risk of vision loss
LOSS of vision due to diabetic eye complications and age-related visual conditions is on the rise in South Africa.
Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye, is the leading cause of vision loss globally.
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A worrisome fact is that while the number of diabetics in South Africa has risen sharply from 1.3 million in 2010 to 4.5 million in 2019, it is expected to reach 6 million by 2030.
Retina South Africa and the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA) have joined forces to create awareness of vision loss during World Retina Week this week.
Dr Gerhard Kok, President of the South African Vitreoretinal Society, a sub-society of OSSA, said that about 1.7% of diabetic patients would develop diabetic retinopathy, while improved life expectancy globally meant that worldwide incidence of age-related macular degeneration was expected to reach 288-million in 2040, from 196-million in 2020.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over 50.
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has been difficult for the blind and vision-impaired, as access to eyecare was limited.
Kok said many ageing patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, need a regular injection into the eye to combat vision loss.
‘Skipping these treatments could lead to serious and irreversible loss of vision. Missing medical treatments could also affect people with diabetes, which could lead to serious complications, including damage to the retina.’
Social distancing is almost impossible for partially sighted and blind people who rely mainly on the sense of touch to compensate for the loss of up to 80% of sensory input that comes from the eyes.
They hold the elbow of a sighted guide, or use touch for orientation, security and balance.
The loss of this tactile sensory input leads to confusion and isolation.
The aim of World Retina Week is to raise awareness for the vulnerable part of the population.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Retina SA has conducted an outreach programme to give assistance and advice to the thousands of South Africans losing vision to retinal conditions..
For more information go to www.retinasa.org.za.
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