Council’s Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness addresses, and attempts to eliminate, avoidable blindness by conducting mobile tours which provide eye screenings, cataract surgery and refraction services to people living in under serviced or rural areas across all provinces.

What is a cataract?

Cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye lens, leading to blurred or dull vision.

Can cataract be prevented or treated?

• As with many other eye conditions, the effects of cataract can be slowed down and reversed with early detection –a comprehensive eye exam is necessary at least once every two years.
• Good nutrition, in particular, eating foods rich in antioxidants, can help slow the progress of cataract.
• Wearing protection (such as sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat) whilst in the sun can prevent future development of cataract.
• Stop smoking.
• Surgery is the only way to treat cataract.

Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed a cataract. During cataract surgery, a patient's cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic lens to restore the lens's transparency.

Following surgical removal of the natural lens, an artificial intraocular lens is implanted. Cataract surgery is generally performed by an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) in an surgical center or hospital, using local anesthesia, usually causing little or no discomfort to the patient.

Well over 90% of operations are successful in restoring useful vision, with a low complication rate. The person is in day care at the facility.

High volume surgery is possible as it takes only 30 minutes to perform this procedure. The procedure is minimally invasive as only a small incision is made and the patient has a quick post-op recovery.

For enquiries about cataract surgeries, contact Feni Maimane at the Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness on 012 452-3811 x 3361 or click here to send her an email.