Protect your eyesight
Macula degeneration is a silent thief. The illness targets the macula at the back of the eye and slowly steals the vision, starting with the ability to focus on small details and leading to the loss of sight. Optometrist Kelcey Hala said people in Cairns had to take a proactive approach to preserving their maculas. “You should have an eye exam every 12 months after the age of 50. It (the disease) can be monitored and ... (we) can delay progression.
MACULA degeneration is a silent thief.
The illness targets the macula at the back of the eye and slowly steals vision, starting with the ability to focus on small details and leading to the loss of sight.
Optometrist Kelcey Hala said the macula was one of the most important parts of the eye.
“The macula is the part of the back of the eye where the eye has the keenest sight,” Ms Hala said.
“We’ve got the photo receptors and we take the finest vision and colour vision from the macula.
“It’s a very important part of reading and seeing detail.
“The biggest thing to be aware of is macula degeneration. It’s age-related, generally, and it’s where the macula can break down and cause distortions in the vision and vision loss in some cases.”
She said people in Cairns had to take a proactive approach to preserving their marulas.
“You should have an eye exam every 12 months after the age of 50. In the early stages there aren’t any signs or symptoms,” she said.
“It can be monitored and then you can go on to antioxidants which can preserve vision and delay the progression of the disease.”
Ms Hala said there were some environmental risks in the Far North that increased the chances of macula degeneration.
“It makes sense to wear sunglasses to protect from UV because that can cause damage to the macula,” she said.
“There is talk about the 400 nanometres that comes off screens and there is some literature that suggests this can damage the macula as well.
“People that look at screens a lot, which is everybody really, from kids to older people, should limit their screen time.”
She said prioritising healthy eating was essential to maintain macula health and to prevent the start of degeneration.
“You can make dietary changes to try to ward off this process, but it can also be genetic,” she said.
“Omega 3 is important, and that can be found in salmon and tuna, and a lot of leafy greens like spinach and kale can help.”