{
  "id": 9693244,
  "title": "World Retina Week: Why early eye checks can help prevent vision loss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/world-retina-week-why-early-eye-checks-can-help-prevent-vision-loss",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-25T03:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/2026-09-25-world-retina-week-why-early-eye-checks-can-help-prevent-vision-loss/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nRetinal 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.\n\nAccording 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.\n\nOptometrist 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.\n\nRecent 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.",
  "summary": "Experts urge South Africans, particularly those with diabetes or hypertension, to prioritise routine eye examinations.",
  "key_points": [
    "World Retina Week runs from September 23 to 29",
    "Retinal disorders cause over 60% of specialist diagnoses in sub-Saharan Africa",
    "Annual eye exams, including digital retinal imaging, crucial for early detection"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Early eye checks can prevent irreversible vision loss by detecting retinal damage before symptoms appear, making regular exams crucial for people with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of eye disease.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}