New sight-saving resources
A report and new digital training tools have been launched to improve understanding of eye health and vision loss in Australia’s residential aged care facilities.
The resources have been developed by the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) – Australia’s peak national body representing the macular disease community – after it conducted a comprehensive study, which found high rates of eye disease, often under-diagnosed and untreated, in residential aged care facilities.
Macular disease is the leading cause of legal blindness and vision loss in Australia. Aged-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of macular disease, is a chronic progressive disease with a prevalence about 50 times that of multiple sclerosis and four times that of dementia. One in seven Australians over the age of 50, or about 1.29 million people, have some evidence of AMD.
There is no cure: preventative measures around diet and lifestyle can reduce risk and slow progression of AMD. Highly effective treatment is available for the late stage wet form of AMD to stabilise and maintain best vision.
The MDFA’s Vision and Eye Healthcare Study in Residential Aged Care Facilities report found an urgent need for reform of vision care within the residential aged care system.
MDFA CEO Dee Hopkins said more than 70 per cent of residents who took part in the study had some form of eye disease; almost 30 per cent had untreated cataracts and more than 60 per cent had some degree of AMD.
“Vision loss in residents of aged care facilities can have so many negative consequences, such as increased risk of falls and fractures and a reduction in social independence and quality of life. Vision loss also trebles the risk of depression,” Ms Hopkins said.
“It’s important to note that the eight residential aged care facilities who took part in the study were very keen to participate in a project aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
“But there’s a knowledge gap, and that’s why the MDFA has developed these practical educational resources focused on common eye disease, behavioural signs that may indicate loss of vision, where to go for more information and how to embed detection and treatment in aged care practices. Guidelines have been developed for management and healthcare professionals, as well information for families and guardians. There’s also an easy-to-follow training video for care workers,” Ms Hopkins said.
Ive got macular degeneraton in on eye - always was worst sight eye.
I have had cataracts removed in both eyes last June and July.
Thats is how I found out - also optimist, Eyelines told me and that is where I got my referral.
I went this time because I got to thinking the printers werent changing their ink cartridges often enough as so grey hard to read even with specs! Silly me - it was cataracts and macular degeneration.
I was also under impression limited on Medicare to one in 2 years but now told for older folk changed recently.
Not sure what kind it is now but since specialist eye doc told me I have dry eyes and left is one with macular but right is one with dryness - just has to be Age related.
So even if perfect sight go take an eye test and ask for them to check for both cataracts and macular.