Glaucoma Week: GP Health urges regular eye tests to prevent blindness
As the world marks World Glaucoma Week, the Gauteng Department of Health is urging residents to start with regular eye examinations to avoid blindness.
Glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight,” is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.
The disease damages the optic nerve and can develop gradually without noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many people discover the condition once significant vision loss has already occurred.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Report on Vision, at least 2.2 billion people globally live with some form of vision impairment, and nearly one billion of these cases could have been prevented.
Health officials say that awareness and early detection remain key to preventing blindness.
“Glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, largely because it often develops without early warning signs. We therefore encourage residents, particularly those over the age of 40 and individuals living with chronic conditions, to undergo regular eye examinations to protect their eyesight,” said Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness.
At the same time, the provincial health department is working to make eye care more accessible.
According to Eye Health Manager at the Gauteng Department of Health Virginia Mawela one of its key interventions has been expanding access to spectacles for residents who need corrective lenses.
During the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, the department exceeded its targets for providing spectacles, achieving 102% for adults and 75% for children, surpassing the target of 70%.
Mawela added that districts such as Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have played a leading role in improving access, helping more residents and learners receive the corrective lenses they need for daily activities and improved academic performance.
“While spectacles can correct refractive errors and restore vision, glaucoma requires early detection and ongoing management. Because the disease often develops without early warning signs, regular eye examinations remain the most effective way to detect it early and protect eyesight,” explained Mawela.
As the province joins the global campaign for a Glaucoma-Free World, Mawela says the department hopes that greater awareness and improved access to eye care services will help reduce preventable blindness and ensure that more people in Gauteng.
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