There is a huge backlog of people waiting for cataract operations in South Africa, and the number increases by 10 000 every year. During ECAM Council and its partners try to bring down that number by having cataract blitzes offering high volume surgery. The patients are screened beforehand so that only operations gets done during the blitzes.

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness in South Africa – 55% of all South Africans who go blind, suffer from cataract.

A cataract is the clouding of the clear lens of the eye that focuses light onto the retina. The key symptoms of cataract are reduced depth perception, diminished colour perception (especially blues and purple), annoying glare in sunlight and poor night vision.

The only treatment for cataract is to remove the clouded lens from inside the eye and replace it with an artificial lens Removing a cataract involves a 30 minute operation under local anesthetics.

Statistics
According to statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) website (Resnikoff et al: 2004), cataract accounts for 39.1% of global blindness, making it the largest cause of blindness worldwide.

Risk factors
Factors which increase your risk of developing cataract include:
• Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV-B light,
• Exposure to radiation,
• Smoking and alcohol abuse,
• Diabetes, as well as obesity,
• Age - the older you get, the higher your chance of developing cataract.

Prevention and treatment
• Cataract can be slowed down and reversed with early detection –a comprehensive eye exam is necessary at least once every two years.
• By stopping smoking and adopting a healthy diet, in particular, eating foods rich in antioxidants, cataract can be slowed down or prevented.
• Wearing protection (such as sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat) whilst in the sun can prevent future development of cataract.
• Surgery is the only way to treat cataract.

Click on the document below to see Council's Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness' schedule for ECAM 2011.