Eye specialists make brave attempt to address cataract backlog in SA

This was a huge improvement on the previous year's figure of 1336, but makes hardly a dent on the huge backlog of 160 000 South Africans that need cataract surgery.

In October every year, private eye specialists put their regular practice activities on hold to operate, for free, on cataract patients that had been referred to them by optometrists and public sector hospitals. These patients were mostly elderly and indigent people that could not afford to pay for their cataract operations.

According to Dr Harold König, President of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA) cataracts is the single, biggest cause of blindness among South Africans. `In 2006 it was estimated that the country's national backlog in terms of cataract operations was 160 000, with the number of cataract sufferers increasing at the rate of 10 000 a year.

`It is only through partnerships between the private sector and government that we can make a significant impact in wiping out this backlog and reducing the growing number of people affected by cataracts. With more licensed private ophthalmological clinics in rural areas we can accomplish so much more. There is a dire need for better access to specialised services for rural communities in particular,' he said.

Every year during Eye Care Awareness Week, small and large health care companies and other businesses donate money and materials to help cover the costs of the cataract surgeries.

For the October 2008 Eye Care Awareness Week, OSSA plans to improve on last year's figures. `We are grateful for the time and effort that participating ophthalmologists had put into this campaign in previous years, and we hope to bring more specialists on board to restore the eye sight of even more people,' König said.

Members of the public suffering from cataracts, should visit eye specialists, their family doctor or their nearest public hospital for screening tests and to find out if they qualify for referral for the free cataract surgery during the October 2008 Eye Care Awareness Week.

More information about eye diseases and conditions is available on OSSA's website at www.ossa.co.za

Issued by the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa in the interest of Vision 2020 – The Right to Sight.

Editorial Enquiries:

Dr Harold König: 012 – 343 8035 / 082 903 6161

General Enquiries: Magda Naude on 082 452 5878 or The Ophthalmological Society of South Africa on 012 343 8918.