Aussies Fear Vision Loss

Nearly two-thirds of Australians aged 40 and over fear losing their independence due to vision impairment, significantly higher than the Asia-Pacific average, according to new research from Roche.

The APAC Vision Health Survey, which polled 4,354 people across eight countries including 502 Australians, found 62.9% of Australians worry about losing independence compared to just 39.1% across the broader region. Similarly, 24% of Australians fear social isolation from vision problems, nearly double the 14.4% APAC average.
 

The survey uncovered concerning misconceptions, with 93% of Australian respondents incorrectly believing visual impairment is an inevitable part of ageing. Three-quarters expressed concern about their current eye health, while 67.8% anticipate difficulties performing daily tasks like cooking and cleaning due to potential vision loss.

Employment concerns were also significant, with 37.8% expecting vision impairment to limit their ability to maintain work, and 26.2% believing it would impact their financial well-being. The burden extends to families, with 87.1% of Australian caregivers reporting significant challenges, including exhaustion and financial strain.

Particularly troubling was the finding that one in five Australians with diabetes don’t receive annual eye examinations, despite nearly three in five experiencing visual impairment symptoms. Additionally, most Australians lack familiarity with retinal diseases like retinal vein occlusion, with awareness significantly lower than other APAC regions.

Professor Andrew Chang from Sydney Eye Hospital, who served on the survey’s steering committee, described the findings as “eye-opening” and called for better integration of vision care into existing healthcare frameworks.

“At least 90% of vision impairments can be prevented or treated,” Prof Chang said, highlighting the urgent need for early screening in high-risk groups.

Republished by Mivision.