Why regular eye checks are so important

Regular eye tests are vital for our health, yet an estimated 2 million Australians aged between 18 and 44 have either never had their eyes tested, or have failed to get them tested in the past five years¹.

“Regular eye tests are critical for all Australians, especially children in their developmental years, to check both the health of their eyes and general wellbeing,” said Peter Murphy said Optometrist and Professional Services Manager at OPSM.

“The misconception is that only those who have corrective eyewear need to have their eyes tested. However eye tests can also pick up on eye diseases such as glaucoma, as well as indicators for broader health issues such as diabetes.”

According to Peter Murphy, although 80% of blindness globally is preventable², millions of Australia’s are at risk of blindness and vision impairment from conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes.

Peter says the best way to monitor your eye health, is to get a comprehensive eye examination.

The Optos Daytona Ultra Wide scanners allow Optometrists to see a 200-degree view of the back of the eye in a single scan in less than five minutes - compared with only 45 degrees seen through a standard scan^**.

Peter says in a single scan, the optometrists at OPSM have a greater chance of detecting abnormalities which could indicate an eye condition affecting a person’s vision. The images are then stored securely for future comparisons and enable better management of patients’ eye health.

“This technology can assist in the early detection of diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinal changes that may be associated with diabetes. Such diseases can often be missed by a standard Digital Retinal Scanner, particularly if the problem area lies on the outskirts of the retina."