<< return to main SmartHealth page
Take a Closer Look at Eye Health
In 2009, the 2007-08 National Health Survey was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, reporting that over half the Australian population is being impacted by eyesight problems.
Vision problems not only affect everyday activities such as reading or watching television, but can also impact work and school performance and road safety.
"Good eye health and vision can often be maintained through a simple eye examination. Regular eye tests can lead to early detection and treatment of many eye disorders which is why all Australians should be visiting their optometrist every two years" said OPSM
National Eyecare Director, Grant Fisher.
"In school-age children, even the smallest vision impairment can potentially affect their ability to learn and their future development. In elderly people, vision problems can cause falls, accidents and reduced quality of life. It's therefore vital for everyone to see their optometrist regularly to have their vision checked" added Mr Fisher.
Signs you may need an eye test.
Many people are motivated to see the optometrist, when they notice a change in their vision. Symptoms that may indicate a vision-related problem include:
- Regular headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Confusion of colours (eg. Reds and Greens)
- Sore or tired eyes
- Frequent blinking
- Sensitivity to light
- Holding a book or newspaper very close, or far away, to read
- Squinting or sitting very close when watching television
- Difficulty recognising familiar people in the distance
Many people are not aware that not only do optometrists provide overall eye checks, but many optometrists can provide additional services in the area of eye health such therapeutics, which can save time and cost in going to an ophthalmologist or GP to treat conjunctivitis amongst other things.
Furthermore, in addition to detecting eye conditions such as long or shortsightedness which can be simply treated with glasses or contact lenses, eye examinations can pick up a number of other health issues.
What else can an eye test detect?
The optometrist will check for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataract, all of which can cause serious vision problems, or even vision loss, if they are not treated. In addition, an eye examination can detect diabetes, high blood pressure and even some brain tumours.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the name given to a group of degenerative diseases of the retina, which is the part of the eye that processes all visual images. Macular degeneration cause progressive, painless loss of central vision which affects the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterised by the deterioration of the fiber layer of the optic nerve at the back of the eye, leading to the gradual but irreversible loss of peripheral vision, sometimes resulting in tunnel vision. The disease is known as the sneak-thief of sight, as the initial symptoms of the disease can go unnoticed for a long time. Once vision is lost the damage is irreversible, however if glaucoma is detected early, the disease can be treated with eye drops, laser treatment or surgery to stop or slow down further loss of sight.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudiness that can form in the clear lens of the eye. Poor vision results because the cloudiness interferes with light entering the eye. Cataracts are usually a result of ageing and long term exposure to ultraviolet light, although they can be caused by injury or disease. Most cataracts progress slowly, gradually causing vision to deteriorate. Cataracts are treated by surgically removing the lens from the eye and replacing it with a plastic intraocular lens.
Diabetes
Many Australians suffer from Type 2 diabetes, one of the fastest growing medical conditions in the country. Diabetes can, at times, be diagnosed through an eye test, by observing any potential damage to the very small blood vessels on the back of the eye (Retina). In addition, glaucoma is slightly more common in diabetic people than in the general community, and cataracts are more likely to occur in diabetic people at an earlier age than in non-diabetic people. Therefore, diabetics should be particularly vigilant about visiting the optometrist regularly.
Book an eye test.
A visit to the optometrist every two years is vital to preserve eye health and should be part of an overall health assesment.
Medicare covers the cost of a standard eye test every two years, so
there shouldn’t be any cost associated with this.
To book an eye test, call 13 20 20.
Tips for good eye health...
Whilst age is the biggest risk factor in deteriorating eye health, there are some things that can be done to potentially slow down the on-set of age-related eye diseases.
1. Eat well
Good nutrition is very important for both your general and eye health. Good nutrition helps our body to grow, repair wear and tear, protect against infection and to function properly. An eye condition called ‘xerophthalmia’, which is a common cause of childhood blindness in developing countries, is a good example of how nutrition and eye health go hand in hand. This condition is caused by a lack of vitamin A in a person’s diet and could be prevented by eating fresh vegetables, fat (animal and plant) and protein (e.g., meat, eggs, cheese, fish, poultry, milk, yoghurt, dairy products, nuts, seeds, pulses and grains). Vitamins supplements can also help to maintain healthy cells and tissues in the eye, particularly vitamins A, C and E. However, taking supplements is no substitute for a healthy diet.
2. Avoid smoking
Smoking causes harm to the tissues of the eye and is strongly associated with two important age related eye diseases: cataract and macular degeneration (AMD).
3. Family history
Be aware of any vision problems or eye diseases in your family. For example, people with a family history of Macular Degeneration have a 50 percent chance of developing the disease.
<< return to main SmartHealth page