The Macular Disease Foundation Australia has said many people aged over 50 are too busy with modern life’s time demands to make regular checks on their eye health a priority.
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According to research for the foundation, 75 per cent of people aged 50-64 years are providing weekly care and support to older parents in some way and almost half (46 per cent) are supporting grandchildren.
It released the research to coincide with Macular Disease Awareness Week which runs until May 27.
The research showed people in the age group, which faces a multitude of modern day demands, are not making their sight a priority. Only 6 per cent say an eye disease check is their top health check priority.
Foundation patron Ita Buttrose said it was concerning the research showed the prioritisation of eye health was extremely low.
“This at risk group of Australians clearly is not heeding preventative health messages. They are juggling family, possibly career and community activities, while trying not to let down those around them. However, they could be letting themselves down by not investing time in their own eye health.”
Macular Degeneration is an age-related disease with one in seven Australians over 50 having some evidence of it. People with a family history of the disease have a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease.
With a strong genetic history of the disease – Ita’s father and three of his siblings developed it – Ita knows she’s at risk.
“I make sure I look after my sight as I’ve seen firsthand with my late father how devastating living with vision loss can be, but I also know that early detection can save sight. My Uncle Gerald is proof of this. Thanks to treatment that has maintained his sight he was still driving at 92,” she said.
Foundation chief executive Julie Heraghty says: “This Macular Degeneration Awareness Week all Australians over 50 are reminded to have an eye test and macula check. Vision is critical to maintain quality of life and independence so it is vital that those over 50 have regular eye tests as prevention, early detection and timely treatment can save sight.”
For a free macular degeneration information kit contact the foundation on 1800 111 709 or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au
