New research has revealed almost half of Australians aged between 18 and 44 have not had their vision checked in the past two years, leading to concerns that people are neglecting the health of their eyes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Optical retailer OPSM, which commissioned the research, said it was important for people to have eyes checked regularly to ensure eyesight problems were detected early.
"Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia, with one in seven Australians over 50 affected by the disease, " Wollongong optometrist Melissa Lee said.
"The condition affects the central part of the retina, called the macula, which is the part we use when we read or look at the television.
"Most people with macula degeneration suffer chronic distortion of vision while some cases can suddenly progress to bleeding and rapid loss of sight."
Ms Lee warned while the condition generally affected Australians over 50, awareness and protection were required from an earlier age.
People should know their family history in relation to eyesight health, eat fresh fruit and vegetables, wear sunglasses and avoid smoking to decrease the risk of eye problems.
Regular eyesight testing was also a must, she said.
None