Retina SA highlights genetic retinal conditions in women

Retina South Africa highlighted that women and girls with genetic retinal conditions face daily discrimination.

Ms Claudette Medefindt of Retina SA said the World Blind Union estimates that two thirds of blind people globally are women.

“In disadvantaged communities girls are generally more disadvantaged than their male counterparts. This leads to a lack of education of partially sighted girls,” said Ms Medefindt.

https://www.citizen.co.za/bedfordview-edenvale-news/290409/retina-south-africa-looking-forward/

She said in retinal genetic blindness the best hope of rectifying the situation is to aggressively pursue the therapies that research now offers.

Advances in genetics, stem cells and artificial vision are offering hope of a sighted future to this generation of affected girls and boys.

“Retina SA is working to facilitate genetic testing for all young patients affected by inherited forms of blindness,” said Ms Medefindt.

In South Africa it is estimated that 17 000 young South Africans are affected by forms of blindness.

For more information contact Retina South Africa on 086 059 5959, email national@retinasa.org.za or go to www.retinasa.org.za