We currently support eye health services in the Western Cape and Gauteng, working across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care in close collaboration with provincial and district health teams.
Improving eye care in South Africa
Orbis South Africa works in partnership with the South African Department of Health to strengthen public eye health services and reduce avoidable blindness. Our work supports district‑led eye care models that are integrated into routine health services and embedded within existing government systems.
A woman undergoing an eye screening in Pretoria, South Africa.
Why Eye Health in South Africa Matters
South Africa faces a growing burden of preventable vision loss, driven in part by the increasing prevalence of non‑communicable diseases and limited access to eye care services. Conditions such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), cataract, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), glaucoma and refractive error remain leading causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment when they are not detected and treated early.
Strengthening integrated public sector eye care services is therefore essential to address these gaps, prevent vision loss and improve quality of life for affected individuals and their communities.
-
30244032
-
30244032
-
30244032
-
Images: Celebrating Glaucoma Week at Tshwane District Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
Focus Areas
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy affects an estimated one-third of people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in adults between 35-50
Diabetic Retinopathy
Orbis South Africa supports a district-led diabetic retinopathy care model that integrates DR screening into routine diabetes services at primary healthcare level. The model strengthens referral pathways between PHC facilities, district hospitals, and tertiary services to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment‑led diabetic retinopathy care model that integrates DR screening into routine diabetes services at primary healthcare level. The model strengthens referral pathways between PHC facilities, district hospitals, and tertiary services to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
Key components include:
- DR and glaucoma screening for people with diabetes at PHC facilities using fundus cameras
- Training of screeners, graders, nurses, and medical officers
- Clear referral pathways for laser treatment and specialist care
- Routine data collection to support monitoring, planning, and oversight
This model has been implemented and strengthened in the Western Cape and continues to inform DR service expansion and sustainability planning in partnership with the Department of Health.
Learn more about cataract
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment around the world, accounting for approximately 35% of global blindness according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
Cataract
Cataract remains a leading cause of avoidable blindness in South Africa, particularly among adults who face long waiting times for surgery in the public sector. Orbis supports cataract care by establishing new services and strengthening existing ones at district and tertiary levels by:
- Building surgical and clinical capacity through targeted training and surgical skills development
- Increasing surgical output to address backlogs
- Supporting infrastructure improvement and patient flow to enhance efficiency
- Strengthening coordination and integration within existing eye health systems to ensure sustainable, high-quality service.
The strengthening of cataract and DR services by Orbis ensures that patients identified through screening are appropriately referred and effectively managed within the public health system.
-
30244032
-
30244032
-
30244032
-
Retinopathy of Prematurity
With advances in neonatal care leading to improved survival of preterm infants, retinopathy of prematurity has emerged as an increasingly important cause of childhood blindness.
Orbis South Africa supports ROP services by working with neonatal and eye care teams to strengthen screening, referral, and treatment pathways within public hospitals.
ROP services are integrated into broader eye health system strengthening efforts and aligned with maternal, neonatal, and child health services.
Provincial Focus
Western Cape
In the Western Cape, Orbis supports integrated eye care services across PHC facilities, district hospitals, and tertiary centers. This includes DR and glaucoma screening at PHC level, access to laser and other treatment options for DR and glaucoma at district and tertiary hospitals and strengthening cataract and ROP services.
In the Western Cape, Orbis supports integrated eye care services across PHC facilities, district hospitals, and tertiary centers.
Gauteng
In Gauteng, Orbis has a long‑standing partnership with the Provincial Department of Health to strengthen public eye health services.
This includes supporting facility‑level service delivery, improving access to quality eye care, and strengthening systems that support sustainability and patient experience.
In Gauteng, Orbis has a long‑standing partnership with the Provincial Department of Health to strengthen public eye health services.
Success Story - From Early Detection to Restored Sight
Behind every strengthened service is a person whose life has been changed through access to timely eye care. Orbis’s work in South Africa supports early detection, clear referral pathways, and access to treatment within the public health system — helping prevent avoidable vision loss.
Video: One woman's journey to brighter sight!
This story highlights how integrated eye care services, delivered through the public sector, can protect sight and improve quality of life.
Our Approach
Orbis works closely with government and local partners to strengthen eye health services across the health system. Our approach prioritises:
- Integration of eye care into routine health services
- District‑led service delivery models
- Sustainable referral networks
- Use of data to improve service quality and access
Looking Ahead
Orbis remains committed to supporting the Department of Health to expand access to quality, equitable eye care services in South Africa.
By strengthening DR, cataract, glaucoma, refractive error and ROP services and building capacity within the public health system, Orbis aims to reduce avoidable blindness and support long‑term, sustainable eye care delivery.
Donate today
Help more communities in South Africa see a brighter future!
