World Alzheimer’s Day: Why families should not ignore early dementia signs
Families are urged not to dismiss memory, behaviour or everyday-functioning changes as normal ageing, with early assessment helping people living with dementia and their carers plan for future care and support.
World Retina Week, running from September 23 to 29, highlights the critical role of protecting the retina - the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into visual images. This vital tissue, unlike other bodily tissues, cannot heal or regenerate once damaged, making early detection crucial in preventing irreversible vision loss.
Retinal disorders contribute significantly to sight impairment worldwide, with conditions like diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment, and age-related macular degeneration accounting for more than 60% of specialist retinal diagnoses in clinics across sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, diabetic retinopathy ranks fourth among causes of blindness, trailing behind cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
According to South African clinical screening data and regional healthcare studies, up to 40% of individuals living with diabetes exhibit detectable diabetic retinopathy. Often, this condition remains unnoticed until patients begin experiencing changes in vision, such as blurred vision, dark spots, or visual distortion. These symptoms, however, may only arise months or years after the initial retinal damage.
Optometrist Eela Makan of Spec-Savers South Africa emphasizes the importance of regular eye examinations, asserting that people should not wait for noticeable vision changes before consulting an eye care professional. This is because the retina lacks pain receptors and might not exhibit apparent signs of distress in its early stages. Routine eye exams can detect subtle changes before they impact daily vision.
Recent advancements in digital diagnostics have transformed the approach to eye examinations. Retinal imaging, a non-invasive procedure, allows practitioners to scrutinize the back of the eye in great detail. This technology can identify microscopic vascular changes linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, and age-related deterioration.
As World Retina Week continues, the emphasis remains on prevention and early detection. Annual eye examinations incorporating digital retinal imaging are especially vital for individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of eye disease.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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