Fact File

• Around 81,000 adults and 13,200 children are registered with the NZ Foundation of the Blind. These people are either blind or have significant sight impairment. For at least 20% of those registered with the foundation, their blindness/sight impairment was preventable.
   
• More and more New Zealanders than ever are facing the threat of blindness. Diabetes, Glaucoma, and age related Macular Degeneration is robbing people of their sight in epidemic proportions. The numbers of people facing the threat of blindness from age related eye disease is expected to double over the next 30 years, as the baby boomer generation ages.
   
• Around 2% of New Zealanders over the age of 40 are affected by Glaucoma, while 10% of the population develop it from the age of 70. Because there are no symptoms, 50% of people with Glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease. Loss of vision is gradual, but will result in blindness. Although there is no cure for Glaucoma, it can be treated to prevent permanent loss of vision.
   
• Another leading cause of preventable blindness in adults is Diabetes, which can cause irreversible damage to the eye if undetected. 50% of those who develop an eye condition from Diabetes will suffer permanent loss of vision if it is not treated in the early stages.
  
  
• A 2001 Age Related Eye Disease (ARED) study sponsored by America’s National Eye Institute, researchers discovered that those at high risk of developing AMD (age related macular disease) were able to reduce the risk by about 25% when treated with high dose combinations of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc.  
  
  
• Optometrist Amanda Field was the co-author of a report published in 2001 which estimated the impact of smoking on eye disease. Findings showed that 20% of blindness in New Zealand can be attributed to smoking.
  
  
• The ACC processed around 17,000 claims for eye injury accidents in 2004, yet it is estimated that around 90% of accidents could be prevented – many simply by donning safety goggles.
  
  
• Recent reports have indicated that a staggering 25% of children are at risk of failing at school because they can’t see clearly. (NZAO)
  
  
• Nearly 5% of children are at risk of developing "lazy eyes".  Detection of this is essential so that early treatment can be initiated and poor sight for life prevented.
   
• Sight impairment affects one in six of our children aged 5 to 12 years, directly limiting their ability to learn, read and play sport.
   
• More than 10% of New Zealand children experience visual problems. Sometimes children don't complain because they don't realise that other children may see more clearly.
   
• Our eyes collect 80% of information processed by the brain. Poor vision can impact on children’s confidence, sports ability and learning. Early detection of any defect in vision is really important for children.
   
• Before age 18 is typically when we get half of your life's sun exposure.
   
• Before the age of eight, the most sun damage occurs.
   
• A sun hat only blocks 50% of the suns rays.

Most people are not aware that many eye conditions are preventable and by far the majority of conditions (in fact) show no symptoms. So if you would like to find out more about some of the conditions mentioned in our Fact File, see our Eyeconditions, or Links section.

Eyecare is not just about glasses or contact lenses; it's about caring for the health of your eyes.

We recommend that you visit your Optometrist every 2 years to maintain optimum eye health, unless advised otherwise by your Optometrist.