Public Education

Early detection prevents serious eye damage

Did you know that, according to the World Health Organisation, 75% of the world's blindness is preventable?

Most serious eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration can occur at any age, and absolutely everyone is at risk from sunlight related eye damage, especially cataracts and AMD.

More than one million eye exams are performed by optometrists in New Zealand each year.

On average 60% of people seeking an examination may need prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Apart from prescriptions for glasses or contacts, eye exams also detect sight threatening conditions or diseases that affect people’s general health, for example high blood pressure or diabetes'.

Many people will need eye health care such as visual training, treatment for eye disease, or referral for surgery.

Any change in vision should be investigated as it could be due to a more serious sight-threatening condition. The major causes of blindness in the Western world are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic eye disease, cataract, and the glaucoma.

Download the 'An eye on your health' poster.