Don’t get by eye disease blind sided

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders needlessly live with vision problems that affect their everyday lives.

Poor vision can lead to higher rates of depression, more falls and fractures, increased need for community and/or family support, and earlier need for institutionalised care.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least 2.2 billion people around the world have a vision impairment, of whom at least one billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.

Some 85 percent of the world’s blindness is preventable and 20 percent of the people accessing services for the blind had lost their sight from preventable causes.

In New Zealand the total number of people with severe to moderate functional vision loss is estimated to be 180,000 and increasing with the aging population.

Eye diseases can often develop without early warning signs, making early detection a vital step in avoiding or limiting permanent damage to the eyes. For eye conditions that result in blindness, the only way to find them early is to have a comprehensive eye exam.

New Zealand optometrists actively promote eye health to remind Kiwis how precious their sight is and the importance of a nine-step comprehensive eye examination for maintaining good eye health.

Glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataract, and diabetes are the main causes of impaired vision and there is a growing occurrence of these eye health issues as the New Zealand population grows older.

Even children and young adults with perfect vision can find their eyesight and eye health changes as they get older.

Those with gradual loss or change in vision can be most at risk as they do not realise what is happening to their eyes.

The New Zealand Association of Optometrists wants people to know that visiting an optometrist does not mean you will require a new pair of glasses.

Optometry is about ensuring the ongoing health and well-being of people’s eyes. To find out about the nine-step comprehensive eye exam, talk to your local optometrist or visit: saveoursight.co.nz

Glaucoma

Glaucoma NZ report that 10 percent of people over 70 will have glaucoma. Loss of vision occurs because of damage to cells in the retina.

Cause: The cause is not fully understood, but high pressures in the eye and poor blood supply to the optic nerve are part of the condition. Genetics and age are also thought to be important factors.

Symptoms: Usually glaucoma progresses gradually and painlessly without symptoms. Rarely, glaucoma may occur rapidly with blurred vision, loss of side vision, coloured halos around lights and painful or red eyes.

What you can do: Have regular eye exams and if there is a family history of glaucoma, see the optometrist for an eye examination every year. During the eye examination the optometrist will measure the internal pressure of both eyes and examine the health of the optic nerve.

The good news: If detected early, glaucoma can be managed and loss of vision prevented to a greater extent. Unfortunately, at least half the people with glaucoma are not having treatment because they do not know they have glaucoma. If glaucoma is not detected, it can lead to permanent blindness.