Retina South Africa is a registered non-profit and self-help organisation (NPO 003-184) dedicated to restoring and preserving the gift of sight for children and adults living with low vision, degenerative vision loss, or blindness caused by inherited retinal eye conditions.
For more than 30 years, Retina South Africa has worked tirelessly to support individuals and families affected by these conditions through education, advocacy, research support, and access to vital information and resources. Through advances in modern medical science, hope for effective treatment and potential cures continues to grow, inspiring the organisation to remain committed to improving the lives of those affected by retinal diseases.
Retina South Africa provides invaluable knowledge, guidance, and support to thousands of South Africans, as well as people across the African continent, helping them maximise and preserve their remaining vision while enabling them to lead fulfilling and productive lives. The organisation remains steadfast in its vision of a future where all forms of genetic retinal eye conditions can ultimately be cured.
Since the inception of the project in 1989, the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon has proudly supported Retina South Africa by providing volunteer street marshals for the annual Ride for Sight cycle race, sponsored by Dis-Chem Pharmacies. Held annually in Boksburg during February, the event has grown from humble beginnings in the early 1990s into one of the major events on the South African cycling calendar, attracting thousands of participants each year while raising awareness and funds for retinal research and support initiatives. to children and adults living with low or degenerating vision or blindness caused by genetic retinal eye conditions. The following passionate statement by Retina SA elaborates on their mission:
“For 30 years Retina SA has pursued this dream and through the miracle of modern day medical science a proven ‘CURE IS IN SIGHT’. We will continue to push forward and provide invaluable information, knowledge, know- how and support to thousands of South Africans and much more Africans, who will benefit, to maximise and preserve their existing vision and to help them live fruitful and productive lives. We will not stop until all forms of genetic retinal eye conditions are cured and then, and only then will we close our doors.”
Since the inception of the project in 1989, the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon has been providing volunteer street marshals for the annual Dischem “Ride for Sight” fundraising cycle race held on the streets of Boksburg in February of each year. From humble beginnings, in the early 1990’s this event has become a major event on the cycling calendar and attracts thousands of riders.