Why you should take a closer look at your eyes
EDITORIAL WRITTEN BY GRANT FISHER, HONS, OPSM NATIONAL EYECARE DIRECTOR
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1.2 million Australians ignore their failing eyesight. |
Nationwide research shows that more than 1.2 million1 Australians are in denial when it comes to their eye health, knowingly going about everyday life with failing eyesight.
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 2 years.
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.
Signs you may need an eye test
Many people are motivated to see an 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 as therapeutics, which can save time and cost in going to an ophthalmologist or GP to treat conjunctivitis and other eye conditions.
Furthermore, in addition to detecting eye conditions such as long or short-sightedness, eye examinations can pick up a number of other health issues.
What else can an eye test detect?
Optometrists can potentially diagnose eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, all of which can cause serious vision problems if they aren't treated. In addition, an eye examination can detect diabetes, high blood pressure and even some brain tumours. Advances in technology are assisting optometrists in the detection and diagnosis of eye conditions and providing consumers with the opportunity to be more proactive in looking after their eyes. For example Retinal photography involves taking a high definition photo of the back of the eye using a state of the art digital imaging system. It is quick and easy, painless and does not affect your vision. Retinal photography allows the optometrist to monitor eye health over time. When a recent image is compared with previous images, subtle changes in appearance aid the early detection of diseases.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease which affects the central part of the retina called the macular, which is the part of the eye that processes all visual images. Macular degeneration cause either progressive or rapid, painless loss of central vision which affects the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterised by the degeneration of the nerve fibre layer of the retina which affects 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.
Cataract
Cataracts are a degenerative condition which affects the clear lens of the eye by making it cloudy. 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 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.
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 onset of age-related eye diseases.
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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).
Vitamin 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. -
Avoid smoking
Smoking causes harm to the tissues of the eye and is strongly associated with 2 important age related eye diseases: cataract and macular degeneration. -
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% chance of developing the disease.
This information should be considered as a general guide only. Please consult our Dental and Eyecare Practices or your own physician before proceeding with any treatment.
Reference:
1.The Leading Edge, 2010 research conducted by Luxotica Group