Current location
You are here: help with health > help with health conditions > hearing, sight and oral health > sightHelp with health
Sight
Your eyesight is precious and there is a lot you can do to maintain good vision.
Paying attention to a healthy lifestyle can help your eyes stay healthy. Many people do not realise that smoking can damage eyesight. Studies also show that too much alcohol may also affect vision.
Healthy eating will also help protect your vision. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of eye disease occurring.
Other tips for eye health
- Reduce the amount of glare and ultraviolet radiation to your eyes by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses and keeping out of the sun during the middle of the day. Make sure that your sunglasses meet the Australian Standard.
- Most eye injuries are preventable. When undertaking do-it-yourself activities around the home and in the garden, make sure that you wear suitable eye protection.
- To avoid eyestrain when you’re working at a computer, make sure you have good lighting and take regular breaks from the screen.
Get regular eye tests
As you get older, it is a good idea to have regular eye checks by an optometrist or eye specialist. Regular eye tests can help detect any problems early and allow the best treatment and support.If you notice any changes in your vision, don’t delay in getting your eyes tested. Many eye diseases go unnoticed, because people think that changes in vision are a natural part of ageing.
Eye testing by an optometrist is covered under Medicare. The Medicare Benefits Schedule currently provides for a comprehensive optometric consultation every two years for patients generally, and consultations as clinically required for people with significant changes in vision, new signs and symptoms or progressive disorders.
Some common eye conditions
After the age of 45 everyone starts to have trouble reading fine print. This is considered a normal part of ageing and is called presbyopia. Your optometrist can prescribe glasses to enable you to see close up.Most blindness in Australia is caused by eye diseases which affect mostly older people. The most common eye diseases are cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration and complications of diabetes.
Cataract
A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This prevents light entering the eye and results in poor vision. Cataracts can be removed surgically to restore vision.For more information about cataractsvisit the HealthInsite website.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in which the nerve cells that transmit information from the eye to the brain become damaged. It is often associated with a build-up of pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can be treated if detected early.For more information about glaucoma visit the Glaucoma Australia website.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is damage to the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision and for seeing fine detail. If both eyes are affected, reading, recognising faces and driving may become very difficult.At present there is little that can be done to prevent macular degeneration, though studies show that people who smoke are more likely to develop the condition than non-smokers. For treatment to be effective, it is important that macular degeneration is diagnosed as early as possible.
For more information about macular degeneration visit the Macular Degeneration website.
Diabetes
People with diabetes may develop a condition called diabetic retinopathy which can lead to serious loss of vision. Diabetic retinopathy is treatable if detected early. If you have diabetes you should make sure that you have regular eye tests.For more information about diabetes visit Diabetes Australia.
Spectacles (glasses)
Spectacles (glasses) and contact lenses can be expensive. So it is wise to think about where you can get discounts and assistance before ordering the glasses or contact lenses. Remember, if you have a favourite pair of frames you can sometimes recycle these by having new lenses put in them.Some optical suppliers offer additional discounts for people who are ordering more then one pair of glasses (e.g. reading and sun glasses).
Many optical suppliers offer good discounts to holders of a Seniors Card. Check on the listings in your state to find suppliers who are listed as offering discounts.
All states and territories have spectacles schemes for people on low incomes who meet the eligibility criteria.
Common questions on this topic:
See all common questions