The Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness, Council's Eye Care Division, is coordinating and conducting various cataract blitzes (high volume cataract surgeries) in six of the provinces during the month of October in order to put eye care services in the reach of under-serviced, rural communities.

Each cataract surgery, which is performed in under 30 minutes, gives the gift of sight back to each patient – and the Bureau plans to be instrumental in giving this gift to as many as over 700 people.

These blitzes take place as part of the Eye Care Awareness Month (ECAM) campaign. This is a South African initiative held annually in the month of October in order to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, specifically around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness. International World Sigh Day, which will be held on 13 October, is an important day within the ECAM calendar.

In the words of Mthobi Tyamzashe, Executive Director CSI and Chairman of the Vodacom Foundation (one of our main Eye Care sponsors): “Many South Africans go about their lives enduring preventable physical illnesses that can be eliminated at very low cost and in little or no time, given today’s technological advancements. Vodacom has chosen to play a positive role in ensuring that such unfortunate citizens are not lost from making their contribution towards a sound economy, through partnerships like the one with the South African National Council for the Blind.”

80% of blindness is avoidable either through prevention or through treatment, which is why ECAM's message: “Love your eyes” and get your eyes tested at least once per year, is so important.

For more information call Feni at the Bureau on 012 452-3811 or send us an email.