Optometrists Want New Zealanders To Be Aware That Glaucoma And Computer Vision Syndrome Can Go Undetected Without A Regular Eye Exam

Auckland, Friday 1 August 2008- Glaucoma and Computer Vision Syndrome are two good reasons Kiwis should get their eyes checked now, according to Lynden Mason, director of the Carlisle Mason Optometrists Group.

Mason's words come in light of this month's Save our Sight campaign which is spearheaded by the New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO). The campaign is supported by the Ministry of Health, which this year has funded the distribution of low vision kits to optometric practices around the country to help demonstrate what aids are available for vision patients to improve their individual situation.

People's biggest fear is usually blindness and in New Zealand, the most common cause of preventable blindness is glaucoma, which is an eye condition that happens when abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye damages the optic nerves. When left untreated, glaucoma can cause loss of sight in just a few years.

Based on observation, Carlisle Mason Optometrists estimates that around 50% of glaucoma sufferers are oblivious to their condition as there are no notable signs at the onset. "Another reason why glaucoma sufferers delay seeking eye care is because of the perception that it's too expensive," says James Carlisle, Carlisle Mason Optometrists co-director.

"There is this line of thought where they go for an eye test and end up paying over $500 for glasses, whereas in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment this simply isn't the case. Not only is glaucoma not treated by vision correction lenses, but glaucoma's effects are irreversible," he warns.

The other vision condition to watch out for is Computer Vision Syndrome, otherwise known as CVS. Carlisle Mason note that this vision impediment is becoming increasingly prevalent in today's working environment, where more people are spending hours staring at a computer monitor every day. CVS symptoms to look out for can include
· Headaches
· Blurred vision (near and distant)
· Tired and achy eyes
· Gritty and stingy eyes
· Neck and shoulder pain"Although this is a relatively new development, there is help available from optometrists in the form of professional advice on how best to use your computer and if needed, prescription anti-fatigue computer lenses," says Mason. "Everyone should have an eye exam at least once every two years from age 3, and once every year if you are working on a computer often."

According to Carlisle Mason, a simple eye exam consists of three parts - questions on patient history, vision tests, and eye health tests. While vision tests can help determine the right sort of prescription glasses will work best if required, eye health tests are crucial to diagnose sight-threatening conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

While professional optometrists insist on eye testing, response in New Zealand has been lukewarm. "There is a big proportion of mainstream New Zealand community that avoids eye care on a regular basis because of the perception of cost," says Carlisle. "People often only get their eyes checked when they notice something is wrong.

"Ironically, there is a multimillion dollar industry in New Zealand for ‘ready-to-wear' glasses from non-optometrist stores simply because there is such a large perceived gap between the cost of generic glasses and ones as a result of a professional eye exam."

Carlisle Mason estimates that in half of all visual impairment in New Zealand is due to refractive error, which could easily be remedied if people had regular eye exams.

"People whose daily performance suffer from visual impairment may be those who do not have glasses but need them, or who wear them but have an outdated prescription," says Mason. "Regular eye exams easily address this, and could identify more serious problems like glaucoma. In fact, half of all vision loss is correctable and a quarter is preventable.

"There simply is no argument - if you believe that prevention is better than cure, regular eye tests are key."