Sight loss is not a reason to step out of work, sport or public life. With the right tools and support, Retina SA is sending a message that people with a progressive retinal condition can still live full lives.
Johannesburg, South Africa (21 September 2026) – Living a full life with sight loss is entirely possible. That is the message of hope Retina South Africa is sharing with anyone diagnosed with a progressive retinal condition this World Retina Week.
A diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, or any other retinal condition can feel like the end of independence.
From 21 to 27 September 2026, Retina SA joins patient and disability organisations around the world to affirm that it doesn’t have to be. With the right information, peer support, assistive technology and, increasingly, medical treatment, people can continue to work, study, raise families and live full lives.
“A progressive retinal condition changes how you see the world. It does not have to take away your place in it,” says Claudette Medefindt, National Secretary and Head of Science at Retina South Africa.
“There is support available today, and science is moving faster than many patients realise. Our job is to make sure no South African walks that journey alone.”
Hope that is arriving in the clinic
For decades, many retinal conditions were described as untreatable. That picture is changing. Gene-specific therapies, treatments designed to slow or halt further degeneration, and interventions that can restore useful central or peripheral vision in selected conditions are moving from research laboratories into clinical practice internationally.
Retina SA works with researchers at the University of Cape Town and with partners in Retina International to identify the genetic mutations that affect South African families, facilitate genetic testing, and help affected persons understand whether they may qualify for clinical trials or emerging therapies. Genetic testing is often the first practical step towards a future treatment.
The organisation is clear-eyed about access. Not every treatment is available in South Africa yet, and not every condition has a licensed therapy. That is why advocacy for local trials, fair pricing and public-sector access sits alongside day-to-day patient support.
Living well is not a slogan. It is a service.
Founded in 1980 as a patient- and disability-led organisation, Retina South Africa remains the only registered non-profit in the country dedicated to people living with retinal disease. It serves all nine provinces, supports more than 3,000 members and volunteers, and offers counselling, education, referrals, disability-grant guidance and community programmes in several South African languages.
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“Living well means knowing your rights, knowing your options, and knowing there is a community that understands,” says Mariza Jürgens, Vice Chairperson of Retina South Africa.
“Sight loss is not a reason to step out of work, sport or public life. It is a reason to get the right tools and the right people around you.”
A call during World Retina Week
Retina South Africa is urging South Africans to:
- Book a comprehensive eye examination: Retinal disease is often silent until vision begins to change. (Standard consultation fees apply)
- Get a FREE retinal screening: In honour of World Retina Week, Retina South Africa has partnered with Vision Works and the South African Optometric Association to offer free screenings to everyone through 31 October 2026.
- Take advantage of “Kids See FREE”: Vision Works Optometrists offers free comprehensive eye care for children aged 6 to 12. This package includes: Free Eye Test, Single Vision lenses, Frame – from a select range
To inquire, email [email protected] and find the Vision Works optometry practice closest to you, or call 0107450669. Contact Retina South Africa: 011 450 1181 or email [email protected] for details of the nearest participating SAOA member.
You can also register with Retina South Africa if you or a family member has been diagnosed with a retinal condition. Doing so keeps you connected to crucial support, genetic testing, and clinical trial opportunities.
Additionally, the public is encouraged to talk with children and older relatives about any sudden or gradual changes in their night, central, or side vision. Early specialist care is vital. You can also make a lasting difference by supporting research and patient services that make both innovative treatment and daily living possible.
World Retina Day is coordinated globally by Retina International, of which Retina South Africa is a founding member. Locally, the week also opens Eye Care Awareness Month.
Sources: Retina South Africa
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