Webinars

In this chapter, we explore the remarkable structure and function of the retina—presented in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

The retina is a thin layer lining the inner surface of the eye and is, in fact, an extension of the brain. It’s the only part of the brain that can be directly observed without surgery. Its intricate layers transform light into chemical and electrical signals, which are sent to the brain and interpreted as vision.

The retina is made up of three main types of cells:

– **Neurons**: Including photoreceptors (rods and cones), bipolar cells, and ganglion cells. Rods detect light and dark; cones detect colour.

– **Glial cells**: Especially Müller cells, which support and maintain retinal health.

– **Vascular cells**: These help nourish the retina and remove waste.

Another key component is the **Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)**, which absorbs light, prevents scattering, and acts as a barrier to harmful substances. It also connects to the choroidal blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen.

Understanding the retina helps us appreciate how vision begins. You don’t need to memorize all the technical terms—just remember that the retina is a beautifully complex system that makes sight possible.

In our previous webinar, we spoke about the chambers and the fluids in the eye and we noted that none of the chambers in the eyes empty. They are all filled with different types of fluid.

In this episode, we are going to look at light and more specifically how light interacts with the eye.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

Social Media Medical Disclaimer

The information on this platform is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. We are not medical doctors. Always consult your physician for any medical advice you need. The views expressed do not imply endorsement by Retina South Africa.

Retina South Africa assumes no responsibility for the use of any information provided here. The opinions expressed are solely those of the speaker/author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organization.

In today’s special edition of the “Back to Basics” webinar, celebrating World Retina Day, Karen will focus on the growing epidemic of myopia in children. We will discuss the various types of myopia, including progressive, high, and axial myopia, and explore why this condition is becoming a significant health hazard. Join us as we delve into the details of these terms and understand how myopia progressively worsens over time.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

In this episode of the Back to Basics Webinar – Chambers of the Eye, Karen delves into the different chambers and fluids of the eye, explaining the function of each.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Back to Basics Series – The Crystalline Lens. In this episode, Karen Denton, Head of Advocacy and Awareness at Retina South Africa, delves into the significance of the crystalline lens in the eye. This lens is crucial for vision as it focuses light onto the retina and ensures sharp, focused vision at varying distances.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

In the third instalment of the “Back to Basics” series, Karen delves into the topic of Eye Movements, discussing the mechanics of how our eyes move and the factors that drive these movements.

The movements of our eyes play a pivotal role in how we perceive our surroundings and engage with the world around us.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

In the second installment of our “Back to Basics” webinar series, Karen Denton, who leads Advocacy, Education and Awareness at Retina South Africa, offers an enlightening introduction to the eye. She imparts intriguing facts about the eye, including the unique characteristic of the retina being the only living tissue in the body that doesn’t regenerate. Additionally, she reveals that the human eye achieves its full size between the ages of 8 and 13 years. Tune in to learn more about these fascinating insights and more. Don’t miss out on this educational journey into the world of vision!

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

In the inaugural session of the ‘Back to Basics’ Webinar, Karen Denton, who leads Advocacy, Education, and Awareness at Retina South Africa, delivers bite-sized facts about vision and retinal conditions.

Our education activities are supported by an unconditional educational grant from Roche Products (Pty) Ltd and Bayer South Africa.

Jenny has been one of Retina SA members for many years.

She is a creative communicator, independence coach, low vision awareness consultant and an innovator.

Her experience of living with Stargardts Dystrophy, for more than 45 years, has given her a unique perspective on navigating life, relationships, physical environments, public transport and digital spaces independently. 

In this talk inspired by a TED talk that she heard by Melissa J Moore (Chief Scientific Officer at Moderna), Karen Denton (Head of Advocacy and Education at Retina SA) talks about the mRNA vaccine and so much more.

In this talk Benjamin Pedro, Smart Digital Facilitator who works at the Cape Town Society for the Blind shares some tips on how to use your smart phone sucessfully with either no or little sighted assitance.

We live in a world where misconceptions abound, false information is freely available, and there is much in our daily lives that we do unwittingly. Sometimes our actions are more beneficial than we realise, but sometimes there could be problems.

This short talk outlines a few of these practices that we may even take for granted, without realising the implications

We all know how challenging it is for our youth entering the workplace and these challenges are compounded when someone is visually impaired.

In this video Shaakirah (Occupational Therapist from the Cape Town Society for the Blind) provides some usual tools when taking that huge step of entering the workplace.

At Retina South Africca we are often asked why doctors prescribe different medications for various people who have the same condition e.g. Diabetes or Macular Degeneration.

This talk explores the reasons – and more …

It is often amazing what facts we overlook, especially with regard to our health. To compound this, there a huge amount of misinformation and disinformation on various media, and current ongoing research can make it difficult to further separate fact from fiction.

This talk addresses a few important factors that could impact our health and our eyes ..

In this webinar Karen Denton (Head of Advocacy and Education) speaks about the common causes of vision loss, Refractive Error, Cataracts (age related and diabetes), Glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa and Diabetic Retinopathy.

The Diabetes/Covid Pandemics…

How does Covid19 effect Diabetes. How does Diabetes effect Covid?

This talk will delve into the twin pandemics and examine what bearing each has on the other.

Be motivated, educated and inspired by these speakers who are living well, with retinal conditions.

In this Webinar Manny Moodley (Chairman – Retina SA), Anton van Rooyen (Deputy Chairman – Retina SA), Alani Ferreira (Youth Team Member – Retina SA) and Claudette Medefindt (Head of Science & Patient Services)  talk about their life journeys with Inherited Retinal Vision Loss.

In this Webinar Karen Denton (Head of Advocacy and Education) at Retina SA talks about Art and Vision and in particular understanding visual defects with reference to classical artists and the effects that their vision loss had on their work throughout their lives.

Many famous artists presented with a variety of visual problems. A few had more than one pathology and some were labelled as visually impaired based on their art. Many showed deteriorating vision with time. As we look at a few of these ask yourself what effect did vision have on each one’s work vs their artistic approach.

In this two part webinar on World Retina Day 2021, Karen Denton Head of Advocacy and Claudette Medefindt – Head of Science ask 10 important question about Loving your Eyes.

Alani, Kgosi and Michele talk about Loving Your Life. Listen to their stories. 

Karen Denton Head of Advocacy and Education at Retina South Africa discusses why people react differently to different meds and why medications prescribed for one person should not be shared with other people.

Parmacogenomics is a critical area for improving drug therapy and prescriptions in the future. 

Jonathan Abro (UK) was the guest speaker at the Retina SA Annual General Meeting that was held on the 14 August 2021. In this video Jonathan Abro [UK] who has Retinitis Pigmentosa and who has been involved with computers since his early teenage years discusses his journey through sight loss and how technology has assisted him professionally and in everyday tasks.

The Retina SA Annual General Meeting was held on the 14 August 2021 via Zoom. 

If you were unable to attend click on the recording to view the proceedings. 

In this webinar Karen Denton head of Advocacy and Education at Retina South Africa talks about Charles Bonnet Syndrome.  This condition is often under-recognised, under-reported and under diagnosed.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome refers to the visual hallucinations caused by the brain’s adjustment to significant vision loss and is not a sign of mental illness.