Are you at risk of macular degeneration?

Signs of a retina of an eye with macular degeneration.

As we get older the part of the eye that is responsible for our sharp central vision, the macula, can start to become sick. This condition is called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in New Zealand. 1 in 7 of all people over the age of 50 will get AMD. If you have a family history of macular degeneration or if have been a smoker in the past then you have a significantly higher chance of getting AMD.

How your vision can look with AMD. (From Macular Degeneration NZ, www.mdnz.org.nz)

Key symptoms of AMD include problems with reading or fine vision work, distortion, trouble recognising faces or empty spaces in the vision. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 50 be regularly checked for macular degeneration. These days most optometrists have access to advanced OCT retinal scanning equipment that can detect the earliest signs of AMD, and also spot blood or fluid within the retina that requires prompt surgical treatment to restore your sight.

It is recommended that everyone over the age of 50 be regularly checked for macular degeneration. Bay Eye Care has invested in advanced OCT retinal scanning equipment that can detect the earliest signs of AMD, and also spot blood or fluid within the retina that our therapeutic optometrist Mr Alex Petty can promptly refer for surgical treatment to restore your sight.

Follow this macular degeneration eye health checklist to reduce the risk of blindness from AMD:

• Have your eyes tested by Alex at Bay Eye Care, with a macula OCT scan, every 2 years.
• Keep a healthy lifestyle, control your weight, exercise regularly on the golf course, and stop smoking.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Limit your intake of fats, eat fish two or three times a week, eat dark green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit daily and a handful of nuts a week.
• In consultation with your optometrist and/or doctor, consider taking a zinc and antioxidant supplement, as this can slow the progression of the condition.
• Provide adequate protection for your eyes from sunlight exposure, with sunglasses and a hat, especially when young.

When did you last have your eyes checked for glaucoma?

The eye condition glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in New Zealand, with the prevalence increasing to 10% for those of us over the age of 70. Glaucoma can occur in people of all ages however and is more common if someone in our family also has the condition.

Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve in the back of the eye. Glaucoma is a painless condition and only affects your ability to see details like words and faces after significant nerve damage has occurred. For this reason it is known as the ‘silent thief of sight’ as many people with the condition are unaware of any symptoms.

The vision of someone with glaucoma.

Early diagnosis is important to limit the damage glaucoma will cause to your vision. A thorough eye check for glaucoma should involve checking a number of factors, including the pressure of the fluid in the eye (the main risk for glaucoma is a higher than normal eye pressure), a 3D inspection of the optic nerve, assessment of the fluid drainage angle in the eye, measurement of corneal thickness, testing of peripheral vision, and a retinal and optic nerve OCT scan to look for early damage to the nerve fibres.

With proper care only 2% of people with glaucoma will go blind in their lifetime. Your optometrist is the best person to visit for a glaucoma check. Some therapeutic optometrists, including our very own Mr Alex Petty, are also accredited to manage and treat glaucoma. If you or someone you know has not had their eyes checked for glaucoma in the last two years arrange a consultation before any potential damage is done.

World Glaucoma Week - Could you have this 'silent thief of sight'?

This week is World Glaucoma Week. Glaucoma is an insidious condition that affects the optic nerve of the eye - the wiring that carries information from the eye to the brain. ~10% of people over the age of 70 will have glaucoma and up to half do not even know they have it, as sight-loss is only noticeable in the later stages of the condition.

Fortunately early diagnosis and treatment can avoid blindess in 98% of people with glaucoma. Bay Eye Care uses cutting edge equipment such as OCT optic nerve scans that can detect damage from glaucoma earlier than a normal eye test. Our optometrist Mr Alex Petty is also the first optometrist in the Bay Of Plenty to be accredited to manage and treat glaucoma independently.

If you, or someone you know, have not been for a glaucoma review lately, especially if there is a family history of glaucoma, book in to see us for a comprehensive assessment to rule out this 'silent thief of sight'.