Half of South Africa’s 100 000 blind children could have been saved if they were treated earlier, shows a new report
▻http://mg.co.za/article/2013-09-05-no-child-should-go-blind
Quick statistics from the report “Child Eye Health in Africa”:
– Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of childhood blindness in the world, with 1.24 blind children per 1 000 children, compared to 0.8 in India and 0.3 in Europe.
– In 2012, there were more than 100 000 children in South Africa who are blind or reported to have severe visual impairments.
– The World Health Organisation estimates that 80% of blindness in adults and around 60% in children globally could be prevented.
– It is estimated at least half of blind children in South Africa would still have their sight if their eye problems were identified and treated in time.
– Untreated cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in children in South Africa.