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