Specsavers Optometrists Urge Kiwis to Examine Personal Risk Factors This Macular Degeneration Awareness Week

Research reveals more than one in two New Zealanders are unaware they should have an eye exam every two years – putting their eye health at serious risk

One in seven Kiwis over the age of 50 could be affected by macular degeneration - the most common cause of blindness in New Zealand. With Macular Degeneration Awareness Week (23 - 29 May) just around the corner, Specsavers is urging Kiwis to take action today by booking an eye exam and looking at the personal factors putting them at risk.

Macular degeneration causes progressive macula damage resulting in loss of central vision. The macula is the central part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina processes all visual images and is responsible for the ability to read, recognise faces, drive and see colours.

A simple eye exam can detect changes in the macula, but with new research revealing that more than half of New Zealanders (51 percent) are unaware they should have an eye exam every two years, many are putting themselves at serious risk of irreversible blindness. As part of every standard eye exam at Specsavers, Digital Retinal Photography (DRP) is included, whereby a high-resolution image is taken of the patient’s retina, which can be key in detecting macular degeneration and some other serious diseases.

Specsavers New Lynn optometrist Philip Walsh says, “As we age, the macula may degenerate progressively, which can result in blind spots, blurred or distorted vision and eventual blindness. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect the early signs of macular degeneration, so wherever possible preventative measures should be taken to slow the disease.”

With World Smoke Free Day taking place on 31 May, closely following Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, Specsavers also wants to educate New Zealanders about the impact smoking can have on eye health. As well as age, smoking is a leading contributor to macular degeneration, with smokers at three times the risk of developing the disease compared with non-smokers – and up to a decade earlier.

“Smoking is the biggest controllable risk associated with macular degeneration. Quitting smoking at any age can significantly help to reduce your likelihood of eye health complications, yet nearly half of New Zealanders (46 percent) are unaware that smoking affects eye health”, Mr Walsh adds.

Other important factors to consider when looking after your eye health include knowing your family’s medical history, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and protecting eyes from direct sunlight and UV rays by wearing sunglasses with polarised lenses. “Those with a family history of the eye disease have a 50 perfect greater chance of inheriting the genetic predisposition. That’s why taking a holistic view and proactive steps to look after your eye health, and putting an eye exam at the top of your to-do list, can help to prevent serious conditions such as macular degeneration”, says Mr Walsh.

ENDS

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