New Survey Finds Older Canadians Putting Eye Health At Risk
March 9, 2010 – 7:49 amNew CNIB survey finds older Canadians putting eye health at risk
Eye Care About Canada campaign raises awareness about glaucoma
TORONTO, March 8 /CNW/ – According to a new CNIB survey released today for World Glaucoma Week (March 7-13), older Canadians are not taking the necessary steps to protect their eyes from glaucoma – the second-leading cause of vision loss in seniors.
The survey found that nearly half (47 per cent) of Canadians age 40 and older are not getting regular eye exams. Many only see their eye doctor once problems arise, despite the fact that glaucoma has no symptoms and is usually painless.
“People tend to assume that they have healthy eyes because they are not experiencing any symptoms like pain or red in the eye, but glaucoma is really a silent thief,” said Dr. Keith Gordon, Vice President of Research and Service Quality, CNIB. “Unfortunately in Canada, only half of the 250,000 Canadians living with glaucoma even know they have it. And if left untreated, over time it can lead to progressive and permanent vision loss; the disease could progress without a person knowing it.”
The survey found that 71 per cent of respondents would make an appointment with their eye doctor if they experienced symptoms including blurry vision (66 per cent), pain in the eye (45 per cent), and itchy or red eyes (each 15 per cent); referral by family doctor (44 per cent) will also prompt a visit. But having a family history of eye disease isn’t enough to prompt one quarter (24 per cent) of respondents to have an eye examination, despite the fact that family history – particularly having a parent with the disease – is considered one of the primary risk factors for glaucoma.
“While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are treatment options available to control the disease and prevent it from progressing if it’s detected early,” said Dr. Yvonne Buys, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto and Immediate Past President of the Canadian Glaucoma Society. “That’s why it’s so important especially for older Canadians to have regular eye exams.” Read the full story at CNW