Eye doctors are reminding people that the only way the serious eye disease, glaucoma, can be detected is through routine eye examinations. An estimated 3% of Irish people over the age of 50 have glaucoma. If caught early enough, the condition can be treated, however it is usually symptomless in its early stages. At a
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People affected by or concerned about diabetic retinopathy – a serious eye disease related to diabetes – are invited to attend a public information evening on the condition this week. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease, which is usually associated with long-term diabetes. High blood sugar can cause the blood vessels in the eye
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People with diabetes are being reminded of the importance of having regular eye exams in order to detect the early symptoms of diabetes-related eye disease. Known as diabetic retinopathy, this is currently the leading cause of vision loss in adults aged 20-65 in industrialised countries. It is also a major cause of new cases of
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Some 7% of Irish adults over the age of 50 have the serious eye condition AMD, major new research has revealed. AMD (age-related macular degeneration) affects central vision, making it blurry. Central vision is necessary for everyday activities such as reading, driving and watching television. The condition is the main cause of sight loss in
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Sight is the sense that people fear losing the most, yet many people do not undergo regular eye tests, eye doctors have warned. According to Peter McGrath, chairman of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO), an eye test is ‘a vital health check’. “Most people don’t consider an eye test to be an
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People over the age of 50 are being warned to watch out for symptoms of AMD – Ireland’s leading cause of registered blindness. The call was made to coincide with AMD awareness week, which runs until September 29. AMD (age-related macular degeneration) affects central vision, making it blurry. Central vision is necessary for everyday activities
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People who wear contact lenses should consider taking a break from them when they are on holiday, an eye doctor has said. According to UK consultant ophthalmologist, Dr Parwez Hossain, eye doctors ‘almost always’ see a rise in attendances in August and early September. “We almost always see an increase in infections when people return
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One in seven Irish motorists cannot see properly on our roads and almost a quarter never have an eye test, according to new research. The study shows more than 14 percent of motorists experience a vision issue when they are driving. In addition, 22% never get their eyes tested and nearly half claim they only
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A new campaign to promote eye health awareness and the significance that lifestyle choices have on eye health, has been launched today (Thursday 30th May) by the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) The ‘Your Sight, Our Vision’ campaign, launched at the ICO’s annual meeting in Killarney, includes an eye health information booklet to educate the
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An estimated 50,000 people in Ireland will develop some kind of vision loss over the next five years, while 5,000 will lose their sight altogether, the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) has warned. This is despite the fact that 75% of vision loss is preventable if diagnosed and treated early. According to the ICO, some
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Over 220,000 people in Ireland are blind or vision impaired and this figure is expected to jump to 272,000 by 2020, an expert group has warned. According to the National Coalition for Vision Health in Ireland, the majority of people with some loss of sight can be medically managed to ensure that they do not
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Drivers who have certain serious medical conditions face being kept off the road for periods of time until their illness is being successfully treated or under control, according to new guidelines. However, it has been stressed that the new guidelines are primarily there to promote and prolong safe driving by those with certain medical conditions.
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A loss of vision is no longer an inevitable part of the ageing process, the International Federation of Ageing (IFA) has claimed. It has just published a new report, The High Cost of Low Vision, which emphasises that people can now grow older with strong vision, thanks in part to advances in medicine, technology and
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