Eye see you

by Simone McClenaughan | 24 Dec 2012

Genetic eye problems are the number one self-reported health condition in Australia, with long-sightedness the chart topper in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey, whether you are 24, 65 or 75.

What makes up your eye?

• The conjunctiva is a transparent film that covers your eye.
• The sclera is the tough outer layer of the eye – the white part.
• The cornea is located at the front of the eye. It’s clear and helps you focus.
• The iris is the coloured part of the eye – blue, brown, green or hazel.  
• The pupil is the black opening in the centre of the iris, regulating the amount of light that enters your eye by changing size depending on whether it’s bright or dull.
• The lens is behind the iris and helps to focus light onto the retina – much like a camera lens.
• The largest part of the eye is the middle of it – the vitreous body and it is filled with a clear gel called vitreous that light travels through before reaching the retina.
• The retina sits at the back of the eye. It converts light into visual messages that travel to the brain via the optic nerve.
• The macula is part of the retina that allows us to see fine detail. In the centre of that is the fovea, which provides the sharpest point of vision.

Presbyopia

While eye health and long-sightedness should be on everyone's radars, baby boomers need to be aware of a raft of extra eye conditions.

“There are several predominant eye conditions to look out for from 55 years of age,” says Jared Slater, optometrist and National Professional Services Manager of the Optometrists Association Australia (OAA).

The main one is presbyopia. “Presbyopia is a completely normal part of ageing and is not a disease,” says Slater. “It’s the gradual reduction in the amount the eye can change its focus.” It becomes noticeable in your 40s and 50s when you have trouble focusing on close objects.

“It is almost universal in people over 55,” he says. It can’t be prevented, but seeing your optometrist for a pair of individually prescribed reading glasses will correct that problem. 

Other diseases

Four major eye diseases affect over-55s: glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve cells. “This is often caused by high pressure inside the eye, which can damage the retina resulting in the loss of peripheral vision,” says Slater. Often you can’t tell you have it until your vision is affected and while it can’t be prevented, it is treatable. Eye drops are used initially, and surgery may be needed in some cases.

“Cataracts are clouding of the eye’s lens and tend to be the result of long-term UV exposure and ageing. Cataracts can gradually cause vision loss,” says Slater. These days, cataracts can be removed with minor surgery and patients may not even need glasses anymore after the surgery.

Diabetic retinopathy can occur in people with diabetes and can cause serious vision loss if left untreated, warns Slater. The risk of diabetic retinopathy is greater the longer you’ve had diabetes, and if you don’t control your blood glucose levels.

“Macular degeneration (MD) is when the central retina deteriorates, distorting central vision,” says Slater. Although MD is the main cause of legal blindness in Australians over the age of 50, according to the Macular Degeneration Foundation’s (MDF) Rob Cummins, it doesn’t cause total blindness. “It robs you of your fine, detailed central vision necessary for reading, driving and seeing faces clearly,” Cummins explains.

The first signs of MD can occur from age 50, but you can’t actually see them yourself. An optometrist would be the one to spot the changes in your retina and can monitor them.

“One in seven people over 50 have evidence of MD,” Cummins says. “It’s when you hit your 60s or 70s that you may notice the symptoms.” They include difficulty reading, distortion especially where straight lines look wavy, trouble distinguishing faces and dark patches popping up in the centre of your vision.

MD can be slowed with a healthy diet rich in oily fish such as salmon, with plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, plus a handful of nuts a week and, for those with problems regulating glucose levels naturally, low-GI foods

Looking after your eyes can be a lot of work – a healthy diet, controlled blood sugar levels, regular check-ups and self-monitoring.

“Good vision is essential,” says Slater, “Most of the information required for everyday living is obtained through our eyes. The earlier we start looking after the health of our eyes, the better our chance of maintaining good vision for life.”

Five ways to focus on eye health

1. Have a check-up with your optometrist every two years, or annually if you have diabetes.
2. Wear sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats when outdoors.
3. For every hour spent on the computer, have a five-minute break to rest your eyes.
4. Do regular self tests with an Amsler Grid. It can help detect macular degeneration and is available from the Macular Degeneration Foundation.
5. Don’t smoke.