gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: Help attendees to better understand the practical challenges of the implementation of retinal services in different parts of sub-Saharan Africa

Methods: Description of examples and personal experience

Results: In addition to the main challenges of high investment and running costs, patients present very late when surgery is either not possible anymore or leads to an anatomical good outcome without significant vision improvement. However with the gradual increase of well-established retinal centres there are more referrals at an earlier stage with better chances of vision improvement after intervention.

Conclusion: Retinal services need to be comprehensive and include all levels of care – primary, secondary and tertiary for awareness, prevention and/or early detection and timely referral to higher level for management. Particularly with the expected steep increase of diabetic eye disease, special focus should on mid-level eye health personnel for early detection screen and secondary level to do laser treatment.