Category: Eye health

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s World Report on Vision states that there are currently 76 million people around the world living with glaucoma.

In Australia, 300,000 people have the disease, however due to glaucoma having little to no symptoms, 50% are unaware that they have glaucoma.

“This is an alarming statistic,“ says Paul Folkesson, president of the World Council of Optometry.

“As we look at this growing problem, we need to ask ourselves in what ways can we realistically address this issue.”

Aside from optometrists working closely with ophthalmologists to bring patient centred care to the forefront of glaucoma treatment, he believes it is important for patients to take an active role to “advocate for themselves”.

How to Advocate for Yourself

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world, so one way to get on the front foot with the disease is to first check if family members have it as people with a family history of glaucoma are more at risk of getting the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma you should start seeing your optometrist for a full eye examination from the age of 40. For those who do not have a family history you should have an eye examination every two years from the age of 50.

“Three in one hundred Australians will develop glaucoma in their lifetime,” says CEO of Glaucoma Australia Annie Gibbins, “yet more than a third (35%) have not undergone regular eye examinations, thereby increasing their risk of glaucoma remaining undiagnosed. We need this to change.”

To help change this statistic you can be an advocate for your own eye health.

You can do this by checking this list to see if you are in a high risk category. If you are then you should book an appointment with your optometrist to check for the early signs of glaucoma:

• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Have high eye pressure
• Are aged over 50
• Are of African or Asian descent
• Have diabetes
• Are short or long sighted
• Have been on a prolonged course of cortisone (steroid) medication
• Experience migraines
• Have had an eye operation or eye injury
• Have a history of high or low blood pressure

Glaucoma can affect anyone.

Kirk’s Story

At the age of 29, Kirk Pengelly, guitarist, saxophonist and founding member of INXS, was diagnosed with glaucoma.

“When I got glaucoma it really hit home at how lucky I was to not lose my sight,” says Kirk Pengilly.

“An eye test is quick and painless and could be the difference between losing your vision, or not. Just as you go to the dentist or doctor for a check-up, you need to put an eye exam on your things-to-do list – particularly those over 50 like me. Use this World Glaucoma Week as a cue to book and treat your eyes to a simple test.”

Treat Your Eyes

During World Glaucoma Week, Glaucoma Australia has launched the Treat Your Eyes campaign to help spark Australians into action to get their eyes tested.

A simple eye test is critical in the early detection and intervention of the disease in order to help save your eyesight.

Advocate for yourself by going online to book an eye examination today with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist, particularly if you have any of the early warning signs of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It affects 300,000 Australians, with 50% of people unaware that they have the disease because they haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam.

Known as the ‘silent thief of sight’, glaucoma develops slowly for most people, and a considerable amount of peripheral vision may be lost before the problem becomes apparent.

There is no cure for glaucoma and vision loss is irreversible but early detection and treatment can save your sight.

One of the strongest messages around glaucoma is early detection and family history.

Veronica’s Story

Blue Mountains based Veronica Dooley is one of the 3% of Australians over the age of 50 who has glaucoma.

Veronica was diagnosed more than 32 years ago at the age of 60. She is one of four siblings, three of whom have also suffered from glaucoma.

She still recalls being shocked by the diagnosis.

“I mentioned to my daughter that I was having some issues with my sight, so I booked an appointment to get my eyes checked with the specialist.

“I’ll never forget that moment when the doctor said to me, ‘You are going blind’. From that moment on I have done everything in my power to follow the instructions given to me by my doctors and I have followed my treatment plan religiously.”

Veronica’s treatment plan has involved eye drops on a weekly basis for the last three decades. It has preserved sight in her right eye while her left eye continues to be closely managed.

As a result of her commitment to her treatment plan Veronica is able to live on her own and enjoy an independent life. She catches the bus to go shopping every fortnight after voluntarily giving up her driver’s licence when she suddenly started to lose sight of the lines in the middle of the road.

“I walked straight into the registry and handed in my licence,” she says. “It was hard but I have been able to hold onto my remaining sight and maintain my independence thanks to the dedication of my doctors and my determination to follow my treatment plan. I’m a big believer if something has to be done, then get it done.”

Family History

Veronica recalls that her brother had “an aggressive form of glaucoma” whereas her sisters, “like me, are managing their glaucoma”.

“We are unaware if there was glaucoma in our family as back then there wasn’t the testing facilities available that we have today, and health issues were kept private. But that’s not the case today, so ask your family if anyone has glaucoma, as it is hereditary, and early detection is key,” adds Veronica.

Glaucoma Awareness Campaign

Veronica hopes Glaucoma Australia’s new campaign, Treat Yours Eyes, will help to educate Australians about the importance of having an eye exam this World Glaucoma Week (7–13 March 2021), because it could be the difference between losing your vision, or keeping it for life.

“Early detection is key. I was so stunned by my glaucoma diagnosis. I had no signs before, and absolutely no pain. Get in early and have an eye exam so you can live the rest of your life normally and hold onto your independence. You can’t undo the damage once it’s occurred,” says Veronica.

Glaucoma Australia recommends that anyone over 50 should visit their local optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination every two years, and if you have a family history of glaucoma check-ups should begin from 40.

To find out more about glaucoma book an appointment with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist or contact Glaucoma Australia.

Diabetes is a serious, complex condition which requires daily self-care and can have an enormous impact on a person’s quality of life. It is the most common cause of vision loss in working-age adults and the most common cause of preventable blindness.

The eyes are one of the main organs affected by the continuous rise in blood sugar levels for a person living with diabetes. If left unmanaged; blurred vision, cataracts, and in some cases, blindness, can occur.

A person who has diabetes requires yearly eye examinations.

Here is essential information related to diabetes and eye health.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The disease can cause a range of eye problems, the most common being Diabetic Retinopathy, in which the blood vessels inside the retina at the back of the eye are damaged.

Many Australians with diabetes lose their sight each year, but this can be avoided by having regular eye tests to detect the presence of Diabetic Retinopathy in the earliest stages.

As Diabetic Retinopathy can cause vision loss, it is important for people who have diabetes to see their local optometrist annually in order for the condition to be identified and prompt eye care treatment can be initiated.

No Warning Signs

Diabetic eye disease often has no warning signs until it has advanced, so people will often put off having annual eye examinations and place them ‘down the list’ of priorities.

“The reality is that a regular diabetes eye check is the best way to identify early problems, and then ensure early treatment,” says Taryn Black, National Policy and Program Director at Diabetes Australia.

“People with diabetes have many regular health checks they need and often diabetes eye checks are put off, or forgotten about, because there are more pressing health issues to address,” said Ms Black.

Early Detection Saves Sight

The important thing to remember is that with early detection and treatment vision loss from diabetes is preventable. Sadly, without early detection and treatment, once vision has been lost it cannot be restored.

Optometrists are at the forefront of how diabetes and eye health is managed in Australia.

By routinely conducting eye checks local optometrists are making a significant contribution to the eye health of more than 1.8 million Australians living with diabetes.

Eye Test Appointment Reminder

KeepSight, launched by Diabetes Australia last year, is an eye examination reminder system for people living with diabetes.

This program will help to significantly increase the number of eye examinations for people living with diabetes and, in doing so, will reduce the number of people who lose their sight.

KeepSight reminds people with diabetes when they are due to have their eyes check. It is also a national register of people who are having regular eye checks and who are not, allowing Diabetes Australia to target its message to those who are not consistently having their eye checked.

Your local optometrist has a very important role to play in ensuring people with diabetes have regular eye screenings and proper eye care treatment to minimise, if not prevent the debilitating effects of this disease.

A Good Safeguard

Deputy Director at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and ophthalmologist A/Prof Peter van Wijngaarden, who is a driving force behind KeepSight says the return visits for eye exams are “far below what is desirable”.

“Many of those who are found to have mild or no diabetes-related retinopathy will not return for follow-up screening at the recommended time.”

Aside from the reminders sent by your local optometrist, KeepSight reminders serve as a good safeguard to ensure people living with diabetes have their eyes checked to save them losing their sight.

The more points of contact, the greater the chance a person will have of attending follow-up examinations.

Go to KeepSight to register with the reminder program.

If you have diabetes or are experiencing other problems with your vision such as blurred vision, now is the time to take action and book an annual eye examination with your local Eyecare Plus Optometrist.

Australian icon Ita Buttrose has issued a passionate plea to senior Australians in a bid to avoid thousands of people going unnecessarily blind during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have an important message for our older and more vulnerable Australians living with macular disease, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia,” Ms Buttrose said.

Macular disease covers a range of conditions that affect the central retina (the macula) at the back of the eye. The most common are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR), including diabetic macular edema (DME).

AMD accounts for 50% of blindness in Australia with one in seven Australians (approximately 1.29 million) over the age of 50 having some evidence of AMD.

“I’m concerned many people who need urgent, sight-saving eye injections for diseases like wet (neovascular) AMD and diabetic macular edema are not keeping their appointments with their ophthalmologists because of fear and confusion around public health protocols.

“Missing an eye injection can seriously and permanently compromise your vision. You must not miss your sight-saving treatment,” she said.

Macular Month Message

Ita Buttrose has been Patron of Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) for 15 years. She has a family history of AMD, with her father Charles and two of his siblings losing their sight to AMD. Thankfully, Ita’s uncle Gerald Buttrose, has retained his sight due to having regular eye injections for his wet AMD. He is now 96.

In May, during MDFA’s Macula Month, Ita Buttrose advocates for Australians over the age of 50 to see an optometrist for an eye examination, including a check of the macula.

“In a COVID-19 environment, our call to action is even more vital if we are to avoid thousands of people going unnecessarily blind on the other side of this pandemic,” warned Ms Buttrose.

“If you require injections for wet (neovascular) AMD or diabetic macular edema, or other macular conditions, it is essential that you attend your specialist appointment or discuss your treatment options with your ophthalmologist.

“Similarly, if you notice any sudden changes in your vision, or experience eye pain – even if you don’t have a diagnosed eye condition – it could be an eye emergency. It is vitally important that you contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible,” Ms Buttrose said.

Covid Fear Causes Cancellations

Despite reassurances from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) that eye injections are an essential treatment, ophthalmologists around Australia have seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients cancelling essential eye appointments.

“I understand that some people might be concerned about leaving their homes to get treatments,” Ms Buttrose said, “but I can assure everyone that clinics are sterile environments and stringent clinical guidelines have been put in place to ensure people’s safety.”

“Whether you are at home or living in aged care, these eye injections are vitally important to preserving sight.

“Many of you have lived through times of hardship, through wars, depressions, and times of national insecurity and anxiety. Once again, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves in an unexpected time of uncertainty, where clarity of communication and correct information is paramount.

Keep Scheduled Eye Injections

“I want to stress if you have a scheduled eye injection, if you are a family carer or someone who needs to take a person to a scheduled eye injection, and you have not been in contact with COVID-19, you are not breaching public health measures to attend that appointment. Obviously, if you are unwell, please phone first for advice.

“I understand people are apprehensive but keeping your sight must be your priority,” she said.

If you need advice about your eye health or want a free Amsler grid to monitor vision changes at home contact MDFA’s National Helpline on 1800 111 709 or your ophthalmologist or local Eyecare Plus Optometrist.

Eye Injections Shouldn’t Be Cancelled

As a result of the fear and confusion around COVID-19, there is a massive increase in the number of people who could unnecessarily lose their sight to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to cancelling eye health and macular degeneration treatment appointments.

Australians are required to stay at home, and only go out under certain conditions, in order to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.

Although people can leave the house for essential services, some older Australians won’t leave at all for fear of contracting the coronavirus disease, even for essential eye health appointments that could help them save their sight.

One in seven Australians over the age of 50 have signs of AMD, and the incidence increases with age.

Wet AMD requires treatment for many years but because of the pervading fear around the virus, 33% of patients are cancelling this essential medical treatment.

Eye Injections Shouldn’t Be Cancelled

“Ophthalmologists are seeing a worrying increase in the number of people cancelling eye injections,” said Prof Paul Mitchell AO, internationally renowned ophthalmologist and National Research Advisor for Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA).

“In my own clinic, up to one third of patients with conditions such as wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) or diabetic macular edema (DME) are skipping these crucial appointments. Wet AMD needs treatment for many years, while DME or diabetic retinopathy mostly needs treatment for one year or so and may also need laser treatment. However, none of these people have, or are suspected to have, contracted the virus,” says Professor Mitchell.

“Projecting from my clinic, that means thousands of Australians are gambling with their vision. Without these regular injections, there’s a high risk that people will go blind or suffer significant vision loss, which is often then irreversible,” he says.

Essential Medical Treatment

Prof Mitchell said eye injections are considered essential medical treatment, while any sudden loss of vision in either eye, was an eye health emergency requiring urgent attention.

Ophthalmologists are rescheduling non-urgent appointments or treatments, but eye injections are “essential medical treatments and need to continue as scheduled,” says MDFA Medical Committee Chair A/Prof Alex Hunyor.

Social Distancing Protocols

Clinics are taking even stricter precautions now to protect patients and waiting rooms must comply with social distancing protocols.

“Many ophthalmology practices are asking patients to wait in their cars and calling them to come in only when required. Call ahead. Ask what extra protocols are in place, and what precautions you can take,” Dr Hunyor said.

People are anxious about possibly being fined for leaving the home to attend a medical appointment.

Prof Mitchell stresses that you shouldn’t cancel an essential scheduled eye injection.

“If you are a family carer, or someone who needs to take a person to a scheduled eye injection, you are not breaching public health measures to attend that appointment. Obviously. If the patient has the virus or has had contact with someone who has been infected, the ophthalmologist should be contacted by phone to re-schedule.’’

Self-Isolation Guidance

The Australian Government’s strong guidance is for all Australians to self-isolate, unless for essential medical or health care needs.

For their own protection, people age 70 and over (over 60 for people with pre-existing medical conditions, or over 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people with pre-existing medical conditions) are strongly advised not to leave home unless absolutely necessary.

Wherever possible, people in this category should ask family, friends, neighbours or community members to shop for groceries or collect medicines for them.

Australians still need to take care of their eye health and attend scheduled treatment appointments during this novel coronavirus crisis.

The last thing anyone needs is to emerge from this pandemic with severe vision loss as a result of not treating a major eye disease like AMD or diabetic eye disease.

It is understandable that people are fearful.

For guidance on your eye health contact your ophthalmologist or referring Eyecare Plus optometrist to discuss your concerns and to ask questions. You can also call the Macular Disease National Helpline on 1800 111 709.