Open AccessVisual impairment in South Africa: achieve-ments and challenges
Author(s) -
H.S. Sacharowitz
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
african vision and eye health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.186
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 2413-3183
pISSN - 2410-1516
DOI - 10.4102/aveh.v64i4.239
Subject(s) - visual impairment , eye care , blindness , population , medicine , optometry , health care , public health , environmental health , geography , economic growth , nursing , psychiatry , economics
Estimates of the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in South Africa are reviewed against the existing services and limitations in the country. The magnitude1 of visual impair-ment and the projected increase worldwide over the coming decades have been recognized as having potentially far-reaching social, eco-nomic and quality of life implications for not only the affected individuals but also for their families and communities. Two-thirds or more of all blindness is avoidable, in that the causes are preventable or treatable.2, 3 Early detec-tion, prevention and management programs are needed to reduce the impact of visual impair-ment. Approximately 80% of the South African population is indigent, relying on public hospi-tals and clinics and the remaining 20% of the population has access to private health care.4 As the majority of eye care professionals are in private practice, access to eye care services are available to only a minority of the population. This paper reviews the current services in South Africa and the challenges that lie ahead