In this World Health Day episode of Retinal Realities, Retina South Africa explores how healthy lifestyle choices impact not only our overall wellbeing, but our eye health and vision too.

Host Karen is joined by Manny, Victoria, and Lindiwe from Retina South Africa to unpack:

• Why healthy living matters beyond New Year’s resolutions
• The growing impact of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
• The five pillars of a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, physical activity, tobacco control, responsible alcohol use, and safe behaviour
• Practical steps to support good eye health, from annual eye tests to nutrition and UV protection

This episode reminds us that every choice we make, every day, shapes our future health — including our sight.

Listen to the full episode on our YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/4ipZHx79WOs

Subscribe to Retinal Realities for more conversations on retinal health, lived experience, and advocacy.

Brought to you by Retina South Africa, with thanks to Roche Products.

Podcast Disclaimer: Any information, either audio or visual, contained on this Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical doctors, and you should always contact your physician or other qualified health care professional for any medical advice you need. The views expressed in this podcast do not reflect the views of Retina South Africa or any of our sponsors.

Are you passionate about technology, people, and improving access to information for blind and low-vision South Africans? We invite you to join our team.

Retina South Africa is involved in the development of the Umsizi Reader App, a pioneering mobile application designed to read content aloud in multiple South African languages, including Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sesotho. While many screen readers struggle with local languages, our solution is built to meet this need with accuracy and inclusivity.

As our Customer Service Support Specialist, you will serve as the primary point of contact for our users. You will provide telephonic support, assist with troubleshooting, guide users through the application, and ensure a seamless and inclusive user experience.

Key Requirements:

• Interest in mobile application or systems development (experience in accessibility-focused solutions is advantageous)
• Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with visual impairments, including practical knowledge of screen readers such as VoiceOver and TalkBack
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and without jargon
• Professional and empathetic telephone manner, with a calm and patient approach
• Strong administrative skills, including email management, filing, and general organisational support
• Proficiency with presentation and report generation tools/software.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Experience with research, preparation and proofreading of documentation
• Experience with website and social media updates

Contract Details:

• Fixed-term contract: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028
• Office based in Germiston
• Salary: Market related

Applicants should send their CV’s to headoffice@retinasa.org.za

Closing date for applications: Monday 13^th April

Our April 2026 Retina SA E‑News highlights major progress in research, advocacy and community impact, including:

• Breakthroughs in retinal research and several promising new treatment pathways.
• Major clinical trial updates for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease, Usher Syndrome and Best’s Disease.
• Record‑breaking success of the 37th Dis‑Chem Ride for Sight, with nearly 4 000 cyclists supporting genetic testing and patient services.
• New young leaders joining our Management Committee, strengthening innovation and community representation.
• A fully redesigned Retina SA website launching soon, featuring improved accessibility and a new educational resource library.
• National and international presence, including participation in global congresses and professional events throughout 2026.
• Opportunities for members, families, supporters, and corporates to get involved through membership, donations, events, sport, and community groups.

E-News – April 2026

Dr Jannis Paulus of the Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins) shared the latest advances in stem cell research with Michelle Glazer from Foundation Fighting Blindness [USA].  He discussed the use of Optical Coherence Tomography [OCT] imaging and gold nanoparticles to track individual cells as they repair retinal damage. These innovations may dramatically improve delivery, dosing, and outcome measurement for future therapies.

Dr Paulus explained the use of OCT – a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to produce high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retina, and gives researchers the capability of tracking the stem cells using gold nano particles. They can even track individual cells and see them repair areas of retinal damage. This allows researchers to optimise doses, delivery strategies, and outcomes measurements.  Cells can be labelled with a unique code to track and monitor each cell very accurately.  Dr Paulus said that he is excited about the possibilities of what these and other advances in regenerative cell research can do for patients in the future.

This episode of Retinal Realities features a conversation with Harry Rosen, CEO of the South African Optometric Association. The discussion explores the role of optometrists within the eye‑care system in South Africa, including how their scope of practice is defined, how equipment standards are regulated, and how referrals work when retinal or other complex conditions are suspected.

The episode also covers:
• Optometrists in the public and private sectors
• Annual eye‑exam expectations and general screening processes
• The availability and limitations of ready‑made readers
• Community outreach initiatives within optometry
• The purpose of World Optometry Week
• The growing concern around myopia in children
• The role and mandate of the South African Optometric Association

Listen to the full episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/Pt-Oaj6INPE wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

Thanks to Roche Products for sponsoring this podcast. 

Podcast Disclaimer: Any information, either audio or visual, contained on this Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical doctors, and you should always contact your physician or other qualified health care professional for any medical advice you need. The views expressed in this podcast do not reflect the views of Retina South Africa or any of our sponsors.

The twenty-third of March marks World Optometry Day, a global reminder from optometrists everywhere not to wait for problems to arise before seeking care. For those living with retinal conditions such as Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, or Diabetic Retinopathy, this day carries particular significance.

Retinal damage often develops quietly. Changes in vision can be subtle at first; a slight blur when reading, difficulty recognising faces, or shadows creeping into peripheral sight. By the time symptoms become obvious, further damage may already have occurred. Regular eye examinations are therefore essential. They enable optometrists to detect early signs of swelling, bleeding, or progression, often before noticeable vision loss takes place.

Routine checks also allow your optometrist to monitor the health of your retina over time, adjust prescriptions where needed, and ensure that spectacles or low-vision aids are providing the best possible support. Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference to daily independence and quality of life.

Here in South Africa, the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) uses World Optometry Week to promote awareness through screenings, educational talks, and public reminders. The message is simple but powerful: seek care early, and seek it regularly.

If it has been a while since your last appointment, consider booking one. Even when everything feels stable, a comprehensive eye examination can help protect the sight you have, and preserve the independence that comes with it.

Rare Disease Week is a time to recognise the resilience, courage, and lived realities of people navigating conditions that are often misunderstood and underfunded.

Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs), including Stargardt’s Disease, are classified as rare conditions. For many families, a diagnosis brings uncertainty, limited treatment options, and the need to constantly adapt to progressive vision loss. Yet within our Retina South Africa community, rare does not mean alone — and it certainly does not mean without purpose.

For Linsay Engelbrecht, living with Stargardt’s Disease has never been about limitation. It has been about redefining possibility.

A Diagnosis That Changed Direction — Not Determination

At the age of 23, Linsay was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a genetic macular degenerative condition that causes progressive loss of central vision. Unlike total blindness, Stargardt’s affects detailed vision — reading, recognising faces, driving, and navigating unfamiliar environments become increasingly challenging.

A rare diagnosis often comes with invisible emotional weight: grief for what may be lost, fear of the unknown, and the quiet question of “What now?”

For Linsay, the answer was not retreat — but resolve.

Supported by both her parents — and especially her mother, Jenny, who went to extraordinary lengths to source specialised spectacles and provide practical support — Linsay chose to adapt rather than withdraw. Like many living with IRDs, she learned to adjust lighting, memorise spaces, plan ahead, and advocate for herself in environments not always designed for visual impairment.

Today, she also credits the incredible support — and healthy challenge — from her husband, Deon. A fellow sports enthusiast, Deon has encouraged her to keep pushing boundaries, reminding her that resilience grows when we stretch beyond what feels comfortable.

Rare disease demands resilience — and resilience grows through community.

Finding Strength Through Sport

Physical activity became more than exercise; it became empowerment.

Despite her visual impairment, Linsay completed two Comrades Marathons — running without a guide during the race itself, relying on spatial awareness and verbal support during training. She improved her time by ten minutes in her second race, proving that adaptation and ambition can coexist.

She later transitioned into para-triathlon, competing internationally with guides in swimming, cycling, and running events. Her achievements include podium finishes at African Para-Cup events and representing South Africa at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

More recently, she took up lawn bowls and won gold at her first South African National Championships in her classification category — a reminder that it is never too late to try something new.

For Linsay, sport reframed vision loss. Racing guided by someone “lending their sight” became a powerful metaphor for interdependence and trust. Movement shifted focus from what had been lost to what remained possible.

For many people living with inherited retinal diseases, physical activity supports not only general health and eye health, but also mental wellbeing, confidence, and social connection. Sport becomes a space where ability is recognised before limitation.

Turning Personal Journey into Community Impact

Rare Disease Week also highlights advocacy – because awareness drives research, and research drives hope.

As part of Retina South Africa’s leadership team, Linsay serves as Head of Special Events and Para Sport Development. In this role, she expands inclusive sporting opportunities and leads fundraising initiatives that support research, awareness, and vital member services.

She is also the newly appointed Race Director of the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight, Retina SA’s longest-running flagship cycling event. The event brings together professional cyclists, recreational riders, tandem teams, handcyclists, and para-athletes – creating a visible demonstration of inclusion in action.

Under her leadership, the event continues to prioritise safety, accessibility, and increased para participation, while raising vital funds that support individuals and families affected by inherited retinal diseases.

Living Rare — Together

Living with Stargardt’s Disease does not define Linsay’s life — but it shapes her perspective.

It has strengthened her empathy for newly diagnosed individuals navigating uncertainty. It has deepened her commitment to awareness and advocacy. It has reinforced the importance of early diagnosis, genetic testing, and sustained research funding.

Rare diseases can sometimes feel isolating. But within Retina South Africa, every story contributes to something larger — a collective voice calling for visibility, treatment advancement, and inclusion.

An Invitation to Share Your Story

One of the most powerful tools we have during Rare Disease Week is storytelling.

Stories educate.
Stories build empathy.
Stories remind others that they are not alone.

We invite you to share your journey with us.

• What has living with an inherited retinal disease taught you?
• What challenges have you overcome?
• What gives you hope?
• How has community support made a difference in your life?

Your story may inspire someone newly diagnosed. It may encourage a donor to fund research. It may help a policymaker understand the real-life impact of rare disease.

If you would like to share your story — written, audio, or video — please contact Retina South Africa at headoffice@retina.org.za.

Because rare is powerful.
Rare is resilient.
And rare, when united, is unstoppable.