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Major Sponsors: Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Dis- Chem Foundation, Biogen, Ensure Gold, DS -24, Cycle Lab.

Date: 15 February 2026
Venue: Boksburg City Stadium, Jubilee Road, Boksburg
GPS: S26.38153, E28.25222
Distances: 116km, 62km, 10km
Prices: R680, R500, R150.

Watch our social media for discounts.

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Enter Online HERE
Route Map HERE
Elevation HERE
Rules HERE

Online entries receive: Superior Dis-Chem Goodie Bag, free wash and lube plus R50 voucher from Cycle Lab, free entry to lucky draw prizes.

Official Seeding Event

116 km is seeding event for Ride Joburg 2026 and Cycle Tour 2027.

Timing

Timing by Finish Time.

Results at finishtime.co.za

Why Ride for Sight?  

All proceeds go directly to support South Africans losing vision to retinal degeneration and to support research. Proceeds go directly to Retina South Africa. NPO 003-184 and are NOT filtered through a commercial event organiser. 36 Years of safe, quality cycling.

Co Organisers: Springs Wheelers, Hamnet Emergency Communications, ASM Safety, Road Rangers.

Raffle Prizes – Double Your Impact

Orbea Road Bike value R65 000 sponsored by Cycle Lab – R100 per ticket; add to your basket.

Pezulu Tree House Lodge mini break valued at R16 800, R50 per ticket; add to your basket.

All proceeds from raffle will be matched by Dis-Chem Foundation.

Registration at Cycle Lab Stores

Thursday 12 February – Pretoria  
Friday 13 February – Fourways
Saturday 14 February – Boksburg

116km and 62km late entry penalty at registration. No seeding.

Queries

Online entry queries: Cycle Tour:  0878207223.
For other queries:  Email:  info@entries.co.za

To understand why, we need to understand the complex structure of the retina and the intricate biological processes that converts photons of light to a detailed visual image in the brain.

The retina is one of the most metabolically active cells in the body, requiring huge amounts on nutrients and oxygen. This fragile, multi-layered, complex retinal structure needs perfect conditions to function and mutations, mistakes, in the genes [see more below] cause malfunction, accumulation of waste products, and cell death.

Light enters the eye through the cornea, the transparent layer at the front of the eye, where the focusing process begins. It then travels through the pupil and reaches the lens, which further sharpens the light and directs it onto the retina.

Inside the eye, the vitreous, a clear, gel-like substance, can contain tiny impurities that may interfere with the clarity of the image reaching the retina. Prescription glasses or contact lenses help fine-tune the focus, resulting in sharper vision.

Cross Section of the Eye

Researchers have made great progress in trying to rectify genetic mistakes, clear waste product and renew damaged cells.

Global research to find treatments and cures for retinal vision loss is advancing rapidly. Areas such as stem cells, gene therapy, gene editing, optobionics, artificial retinas, and pharmaceutical interventions are all making steady progress. Many are in advanced clinical trials and registration is expected within a few years. The effect of lifestyle and supplementation on retinal health is also receiving serious attention.

This type of research bypasses the damaged photoreceptors and uses the intact neural cells instead. A light-sensitive protein is delivered to one of the neural layers – usually the ganglion cells.

BIONIC SIGHT for RP

This is a very exciting development from Dr Sheila Nirenberg, who has spent 10 years decoding the retinal messaging system. Her latest clinical trial is testing her Optobionic molecule BSO1 without a coding device. This is a single intravitreal injection which improves the sensitivity of the ganglion cells.

OPTOBIONIC BSO1

ChronosFP is an enhanced, light-sensitive channel rhodopsin protein, a type of microbial opsin. It is delivered to the ganglion cells using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector via an intravitreal injection. Ganglion cells usually survive despite severe photoreceptor degeneration. The ganglion cells express the ChronosFP protein, embedding it into the cell membranes. The protein acts as a light-sensitive ion channel which allows the ganglion cells to respond to weak signals from the remaining photoreceptors. Participants have shown improvements in visual acuity, field of vision and are able to negotiate a maze, even in reduced light. This exciting intervention may be available in a few years. The original trial that includes an optical decoder will assist people with more severe vision loss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WQgixZjOW4

These are instructions to make thousands of different proteins that the cells in our bodies need to reproduce and remain healthy. Nearly all cells reproduce but retinal cells are one of the exceptions. We inherit one set of genes from each parent. These sets are called Chromosomes and are named 1 to 22. We also inherit a gender determining chromosome from each parent.

Males inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father. Females inherit an X chromosome from both parents. Humans have about 22 000 genes and mutations can occur in any of these genes. There are over 300 genes that have been linked to Inherited Retinal Degeneration and dozens more identified in AMD.

In IRD the mutation can be inherited in different ways. In recessive inheritance parents unknowingly carry a single copy of the mutated gene and may both pass this gene onto their child. In dominant inheritance a single parent, mother or father is affected by the condition and may pass the gene onto their children.

In X linked inheritance the mother is the carrier and may pass the gene onto the sons who will be affected, and their daughters who will again be carriers. This is a very simple explanation, and a genetic counsellor [GC] will be able to analyse your specific family history and give you accurate advice.

Clinical trials are extensive patient-based tests to see if promising treatments are effective and safe. Traditionally they have been in 3 phases starting with low doses, small numbers and patients with severe vision loss and a placebo group that receives a sham treatment. These are necessary but tedious, expensive and strictly controlled by drug registration bodies, the FDA in the USA and the EMA in Europe.

Retina South Africa has participated in a global phase 3 clinical trial for Stargardt Disease and continues to seek more participation. We are only hampered by the number of patients on our database and funding.

Clinical trials are a necessary way of safeguarding patients and ensuring new technologies are effective. Unfortunately, the high standards, and costs, have led to many promising treatments being abandoned by drug companies. As most IRD’s are considered Orphan or Rare diseases, ways to fast-track both testing and registration are being instituted.

The recent death of patients using mRNA editing for Sickle Cell disease shows that safety should still be the most important issue in clinical trials and long term follow up of patients.

A word from our Sponsor Nurture Vision

As 2025 comes to a close, we extend our sincere appreciation to Retina SA for their continued leadership in supporting, educating, and advocating for individuals and families living with retinal conditions across the country. It remains a privilege for Nurture Vision to contribute to this shared mission. With growing public interest in nutritional approaches to eye wellness, we are pleased to provide a detailed overview of our supplement range – all locally manufactured and formulated with targeted ingredients that support different aspects of visual function – Nurture Vision Team

Eye Health (Triple Carotenoid): Supporting the Macula’s Natural Defence

The macula relies on a unique trio of pigments: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin – collectively known as macular carotenoids. These pigments form the macula’s natural protective filter, absorbing high-energy blue light and neutralising oxidative stress.

Our Eye Health supplement delivers all three carotenoids in their natural ratios, mirroring what is found in a healthy macula. 

Key points include:

• Marigold-derived carotenoids for optimal purity and bioavailability.
• Complete trio: not just lutein and zeaxanthin, but also meso-zeaxanthin, which is crucial for central macular protection.
• Blue-light filtering support, an important factor for individuals with high daily screen exposure.
• Assistance in maintaining macular pigment density, which plays a role in contrast sensitivity and visual performance.

This formulation is particularly relevant for individuals with age-related visual changes, a family history of macular degeneration, or lifestyle-related blue-light strain.

Dry Eye Supplement: Nutritional Support for Ocular Surface Comfort

Dry eye is a multifactorial condition, often influenced by lifestyle, age, environment, and systemic factors. Complementary to lubricating eye drops which offer surface relief, nutritional support can strengthen the foundation of tear production and tear-film stability.

The Nurture Vision Dry Eye supplement brings together:

• Vitamins and minerals that play a role in maintaining a healthy ocular surface.
• Antioxidants and plant extracts that support mucin production and reduce oxidative stress.
• Nutrients linked to improved tear-film stability, helping reduce burning, irritation, and fluctuation in vision.

This formulation is suited for individuals experiencing chronic dryness, recent increases in screen time, air-conditioned environments, and those needing more comprehensive support than drops alone can provide.

Premium Omega-3: Foundational Support for Both Eye and Systemic Wellness

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, play key roles in both ocular and general health. DHA is an important structural component of retinal cells, while EPA contributes to the anti-inflammatory pathways that influence tear-film quality.

Our Premium Omega-3 formula

• Provides a high-quality source of EPA and DHA.
• Supports meibomian gland function, affecting the oily layer of the tear film.
• Assists in reducing ocular surface inflammation, a key factor in dry-eye symptoms.
• Offers added benefits for heart, brain, skin, and joint health, making it valuable beyond eye-specific needs.

Used on its own or alongside Eye Health or Dry Eye, Omega-3 serves as a foundational supplement for those wanting broad-spectrum wellness support.

Our Commitment Going Forward

All Nurture Vision supplements are locally manufactured in South Africa, ensuring both high quality and long-term accessibility for the communities who need them. Our formulations are developed with careful attention to the nutritional needs of the eye and crafted to be simple, practical additions to everyday wellness routines.
We remain grateful for the opportunity to support Retina SA’s work and look forward to continuing this partnership in 2026 as we strive to make proactive eye health more attainable for all.

— The Nurture Vision Team (www.nurturevision.co.za)

In this powerful edition, host Claudette Medefindt sits down with Caryl Baum, a retired lawyer, mother, grandmother, and visionary advocate living with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Brought to you by Roche Products South Africa, this episode explores the emotional and practical realities of vision loss — from diagnosis to daily life.

Caryl shares her deeply personal journey, the impact of losing central vision, and the adaptive tools and mindset that help her thrive. From white canes and screen readers to scrapbooking and travel, she proves that vision loss doesn’t mean losing your purpose.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about retinal health, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical advice. Tune in and be inspired by Caryl’s resilience, humour, and unwavering spirit.

🔗 Listen Here: https://youtu.be/HpvFLcEKTE8

📲 Subscribe to Retinal Realities on your favourite podcast platform

When Retina South Africa launched its Para Sport Development Division, the goal was simple but powerful: help people facing retinal degenerative conditions stay active, connected, and hopeful.

Decades of research continue pointing to the same truth – movement matters. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the eyes and the rest of the body, and some studies hint that this may help slow the pace of retinal degeneration. Even within families living with the same inherited condition, those who stay active often experience a slower decline than relatives who lead more sedentary lives.

But staying active after sight loss isn’t easy. Something as simple as a morning walk becomes intimidating without a guide. Pavement edges, potholes, uneven surfaces, or traffic can turn a routine run into a safety risk. And when moving around becomes difficult, confidence drops, isolation increases, and fitness declines.

That’s where Retina South Africa is making a difference.

Creating Safe, Joyful Spaces to Move Again

Through initiatives like our Ride For Sight, Para Golf Taster Days, Bowls for Sight, and our national-first mixed para cycling team competing in the 2025 Old Mutual Wealth Double Century, we’re building a community where people with visual impairment can rediscover independence, health, and belonging.

Para sport for blind and visually impaired athletes is still an underfunded and overlooked sector in South Africa. Many disciplines require guides – such as tandem cycling or paired running – doubling the cost and the logistical effort. Even team sports like goalball need trained volunteers and specialised equipment.

Retina SA’s Para Sport Development Division is stepping into this gap with purpose, collaboration, and growing momentum.

Why This Work Matters

• Health: encouraging movement that may support overall eye and vascular well-being.
• Confidence: helping people overcome fear and isolation through structured, supported activities.
• Community: giving individuals facing vision loss a place to belong.
• Inclusion: advocating for equitable recognition in mainstream sport.
• Pathways: creating new opportunities for future para-athletes.

We Need You: Become a Volunteer Tandem Pilot

Cycling is one of the most freeing and exhilarating ways for a person with visual impairment to stay active – but every visually impaired cyclist needs a sighted partner to share a tandem bicycle.

If you’re a confident cyclist with a passion for making a meaningful impact, you can change someone’s life by becoming a volunteer tandem pilot. No experience on tandems is needed – we’ll guide you.

Are You Facing Vision Loss and Want to Cycle?

If you’ve ever dreamed of cycling but didn’t know where to start, this is your moment. Whether you’re completely blind or partially sighted, we would love to welcome you into our growing community of para cyclists.

Join Us at Ride for Sight

We’re now recruiting:
✓ Volunteer tandem pilots
✓ Cyclists with visual impairment

To take part in Dis-Chem Ride for Sight, one of South Africa’s most meaningful sporting events.

If you’re ready to ride – or ready to help someone else ride – please email Deon at:
sport@rideforsight.co.za

World Diabetes Day (WDD), observed annually on November 14th, is far more than just a date on the calendar in South Africa—it is a critical moment for health intervention.

The Scale of the Crisis

South Africa is grappling with an escalating diabetes crisis. With an estimated 4.2 to 4.6 million adults living with diabetes, the country has one of the highest prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Alarmingly, as many as 45% of these individuals are undiagnosed, essentially living with a ticking clock of potential complications.  (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10218408/)

The statistics are sobering:

• Diabetes is a major cause of death, with some reports surpassing tuberculosis as the leading cause of death in the nation.  
• It is a leading cause of vision loss 
• in addition, poorly managed diabetes leads to severe complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputation, placing a colossal strain on an already overburdened public healthcare system.  

Why WDD Matters

WDD serves as a powerful, concentrated push to address this “silent killer.” For South Africa, the day’s importance is three-fold:  

1. Mass Awareness

The event provides a platform to run widespread awareness campaigns, directly tackling the high rate of undiagnosed cases. Early detection is the cornerstone of successful management and complication prevention.  

2. Education is the Cornerstone: 

A key theme of WDD is often “Access to Diabetes Education.” In South Africa, education is vital to empower people to manage their chronic condition daily. It helps combat myths, promote healthy lifestyle changes (critical given the rise of Type 2 diabetes due to urbanisation and diet), and ensure adherence to treatment.  

3. A Call for Equitable Access: 

The day pressures policymakers and healthcare providers to strengthen primary care and ensure all citizens—regardless of socio-economic status—have equitable and affordable access to comprehensive diabetes care, including medicines, technology, and support.  

Simply put, World Diabetes Day in the South African context is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that tackling this epidemic requires collective action, robust education, and a commitment to ensuring every person in the country can live a healthier, complication-free life with or without diabetes. It’s about turning awareness into action.

The Warning Signs: Common Symptoms of Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes, especially Type 2, can be so mild that people often ignore them for years. That’s a mistake, as the long-term damage is happening silently. In fact, diabetes can even cause eye damage before the raised blood sugar leads to a diagnosis.

Look out for an expanding waist line, excess thirst, excess hunger, and excess urination. It is best to check with a health care professional if you are at risk.

The Risk Factors: Who is Most Vulnerable?

Risk factors can be broken down into two groups: those you can’t change and, more importantly, those you can change.

Factors You Cannot Change

• Age: Risk increases as you get older, especially after the age of 35.
• Family History: Having a parent or sibling with diabetes significantly increases your risk. Genetics play a big role.
• Race and Ethnicity: Certain populations, including people of African and Indian/Asian descent (both significant groups in South Africa), are at a higher genetic risk.
• History of Gestational Diabetes: Women who had diabetes during pregnancy are at increased risk later in life.

Factors that You CAN Change (The Modifiable Ones)

These are the most relevant factors for prevention:

• Excess Body Weight/Obesity: This is the single largest risk factor. Carrying extra weight, particularly around the abdomen, makes cells more resistant to insulin (insulin resistance).
• Physical Inactivity: The less active you are, the greater your risk. Exercise helps cells become more sensitive to insulin.
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fat dramatically increases risk.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): High blood pressure is often linked to diabetes and complicates its management.
• Smoking: Tobacco use increases insulin resistance.

The Good News: Prevention is Possible

For Type 2 diabetes, prevention is generally a matter of small, consistent lifestyle changes.
Move More: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking) per week.
Eat Better: Focus on colourful,  whole, high-fibre foods (like vegetables and wholegrains) and drink water instead of sweetened beverages.