Today (March 8) marks International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Retina South Africa<\/a> highlights that women and girls with genetic retinal conditions face daily discrimination and prejudice.<\/p> The World Blind Union estimates that two thirds of blind people globally are women and this is probably within the partially sighted community as well.<\/p>\n In disadvantaged communities girls are generally more disadvantaged than their male counterparts and this leads to the under-education of partially sighted girls.<\/p> In retinal genetic blindness the best hope of rectifying the situation is to aggressively pursue the therapies that progress in research now offers.<\/p>\n Advances in genetics, stem cells and artificial vision are offering real hope of a sighted future to this generation of affected girls and boys.<\/p>\n Retina South Africa is working to facilitate genetic testing for all young patients affected by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, Stargardt Disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome.<\/p>\n These inherited forms of blindness are thought to affect 17 000 young South Africans destroying more of their vision every day.<\/p>\n The Division of Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town is a partner in this ambitious but achievable endeavour.<\/p>\n For more information contact Retina South Africa<\/a> on 086 059 5959 or send an email to national@retinasa.org.za.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n