“Open Your Eyes” warning to Australians without the foresight to combat eye care problems

Sydney, April 14, 2016: More than 86% of Australians rated loss of sight - as opposed to losing any other of their senses - as their number one health concern, and nearly two thirds of the population are more fearful of going blind over losing a limb or having a heart attack. Yet 4.1 million Australians have not had their eyes tested recently and one million have never had an eye exam.

That contradictory behaviour has prompted ProVision, the nation’s largest network of independent eye care optometrists, to launch an “Open Your Eyes” preventive eye care campaign highlighting the dangers of not having a regular eye examination every two years.

The disturbing findings were highlighted in an Eye Health Report Card compiled by Vision 2020, Australia's peak body for the eye health and vision care sector.

ProVision Australia, on behalf of its 440 independent optometrist members, is launching the national “Open Your Eyes” campaign today, warning all Australians to spend a little more time understanding and caring for the health of their eyes.

Optometry Australia President, Kate Gifford added: “Around 12 million Australians – almost 50% of the population – have long-term eye conditions which include glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, astigmatism, long and short sightedness. Since 75% of vision loss is readily treatable or preventable, it is disappointing to see so many in our community fall into a state of vision impairment which can, and will, cruelly affect their physical, functional, emotional and social wellbeing. Beyond any doubt the inevitable result of visual impairment is to reduce a person’s quality of living.”

ProVision Chairman and optometrist Ian Bluntish said: “Our goal is to reach a point where Australians understand that by being proactive they can have an impact on reducing preventable blindness. The primary reason prompting a person to visit an optometrist today is that they experience some kind of vision change. But the reality is that many symptoms of eye disease are either invisible or not immediately obvious, so we are encouraging Australians of all ages not to wait for a problem before seeing their local optometrist. 

Protecting one’s most precious sense is a lifelong journey. The routine of caring for the health of a person’s eyes should start from pre-school years and continue regularly thereafter. "

Kate Gifford stressed that beyond the emotional limitation to a fuller lifestyle there is also a “dollars and cents” dimension.  “Estimates suggest that the total annual economic cost of vision disorders at $16.6 billion. Eye issues account for 1 in 30 hospitalisations in Australia, Yet restorations of sight and blindness prevention strategies have proven to be among the most cost-effective interventions in health care and optometrists are key to preventive eye care.”  

A key "Open Your Eyes" campaign message is that committing 40 minutes to an optometrist visit today can save a person’s sight tomorrow.  A critical initiative of the campaign will see ProVision's optometrist members offering the community a 360 degree comprehensive eye consultation as the main weapon against avoidable vision loss and blindness by picking up early signs of eye disease so it can be diagnosed and treated. Key elements of the 360 degree eye consultation include a holistic and extensive eye examination plus advice on health, diet and lifestyle and the latest eyewear solutions for maintaining healthy eyes and vision.  “Through our 360 degree comprehensive eye process we are able to better educate Australians on how they can take a more active role in protecting their most precious sense”, added Ian Bluntish.

To locate your nearest independent ProVision optometrist at www.provision.com.au

Note to editors:  Spokesperson Ian Bluntish is available for comment/interview etc

Spokesperson Kate Gifford is available for comment/interview etc

The facts and figures in this release are sourced from research conducted by: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW); Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2011–12 National Health Survey (NHS); Line of Sight blueprint by Optometry Australia; Vision Australia; www.aihw.gov.au/hospitals/surgery-2010-11; www.visioneyeinstitute.com.au/article/facts-eye-health-australia/