As we age, the likelihood of suffering from a vision-impairing condition greatly increases. In low-income countries, where 90% of blind people live, older people with vision loss will often suffer from isolation, be excluded from social services and have difficultly contributing to their families and communities.

At 61, James Mkhwanazi is not an old man by western standards. That is not the case in James’ community in rural Magwaveni, South Africa.

James, whose greatest pleasure is to read the bible, was noticing his sight deteriorate to the point where reading was no longer possible.

“I love to read my bible…but the problem persisted to the point that it hindered my ability to stand in front of the people and tell them about the word of God and about what I read in the bible,” said James.

In such a poor township as Magwaveni, the closest eye care services are over 45km away, and for the elderly who are hindered by vision loss, travel to even the closest health service is dangerous and often beyond reach.

Older people, such as James, consider vision loss a normal part of life. ICEE was able to visit Magwaveni and show James, and dozens like him, that there is an alternative to losing sight.

After receiving a pair of glasses for reading, James’ eyesight was restored. An unmistakable ripple of jubilation crossed the faces of all those around him as he laughed with joy, “I am so happy …I feel happier and more free in my heart and spirit and it will now help me do the will of God and things that have been hindering me because of my eye sight”.

James’ case perfectly demonstrates that, when eye care is accessible and affordable, age-related conditions that cause blindness can be simply treated or cured in a cost effective way.

The World Health Organization reports that 80% of people suffering from vision impairment, through avoidable or unavoidable causes, are people 50 years old or older.