A US based optometrist regularly asked her patients “How often do you see your dentist?”  The response is often twice a year, or at least once a year.  “If you lost a tooth, what would be the impact on your life?  Some inconvenience, undoubtedly, but there are options for reconstruction and or repair.  Now compare this to going blind in one eye?”  Less options and significantly greater impact on a person’s life. Yet, we tend to prioritise a visit to a dentist over and above a visit to an optometrist. Why are our teeth more important than our eyes?  Why do we believe that if we can see perfectly well, or believe that we are seeing perfectly well, that there are no issues of concern?

Often, the health of our eyes is undervalued.  If we change the purpose of our visit to the local optometrist to be about the health of our eyes rather than the purchase of a pair of spectacles, or prescription sunglasses, it is likely to reap benefits in our lives. 

In Australia, over 13 million people have one or more chronic (long-term) eye conditions, according to self-reported data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017–18 National Health Survey. Common eye conditions that cause vision loss include cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina from diabetes). Not all eye conditions are related to age. The ABS survey also identified that 12% of children aged 0-14 years reported chronic eye conditions.  This is only likely to increase given the amount of time now spent indoors and using  screen based devices. 

In research conducted by Optometry Australia and reported in their 2022 Vision Index Report, they found that “while three in four Australians value vision as their most important sense, eye health issues have increased at the rate of concern to Optometry Australia.” Whilst the recommendation is to have your eyes tested every two years, their research found  that “13% of survey respondents had never had an eye examination with an optometrist, 29% have neglected an assessment as they believe their vision is perfect, 28% because they believe it is too expensive and 15% because they are afraid of the results”.  

The low attendance, or infrequent attendance, to check eye health is a cause for concern. Over 90% of vision loss is considered avoidable or treatable with early detection. Hence, we believe that the health of your eyes is important and something that should be regularly monitored. Please make the health of your eyes a priority!

For Eyes
Optometrist
158 High Street, Fremantle
93353433
www.foreyes.com.au

by CLARE ROSSITER
BCom, MBA, CA, FFin