CPD Editorial: Ophthalmology in SA Family Practice

Abstract

Ocular problems and visual disorders are a common occurrence in all societies and the burden of eye disease in rural South Africa is high, with an estimated 750 blind in 100,000 of the population, due mostly to cataract and glaucoma. The general practitioner is well placed to provide ophthalmic care in both the urban and rural setting. Less serious conditions may be treated and followed up and preventative and rehabilitative advice may be given. The practitioner also needs to be fully aware of the indications for ophthalmic specialist referral, both urgent and less urgent. In this edition of the South African Family Practice Journal, containing an ophthalmology review, several ophthalmic consultants from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, have been invited to contribute articles to address the common eye problems seen in family practice.