More than 6500 Benalla residents over 40, some 79 per cent, admitted they had noticed their vision worsen during the past 10 years - with one in three saying their vision was much worse.
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That's according to new research from Specsavers who also highlight the fact many do not book an eye-test to find out why.
The research has revealed one in two people 40 years and older have experienced tired eyes, struggled to see something on their mobile phone, tablet, or computer screen or have struggled to read.
Despite this, as many as one in six have not had their eyes tested in more than three years.
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Specsavers Benalla optometrist Jason Tan said the research highlighted many people living in Benalla were ignoring the signs of deteriorating eye sight and putting off seeing an optometrist.
“The research has revealed that as many as four in 10 people have had a headache or struggled to read a menu when out for dinner,” Mr Tan said.
“One in three have felt that their vision was going blurry, and more than 676 over the age of 40 say they have bought the wrong item because they either couldn’t read or they misread the label.
“The majority of these instances can be prevented with an eye test and prescription glasses or contact lenses.”
“There are 8455 people living in Benalla that are over the age of 40,” Mr Tan said.“And we know that our optometrists have only seen 8246 in the last two years.
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Mr Tan said there was a number of reasons people might not be having regular eye-checks.
“I think in general we are just so busy nowadays in our day-to-day lives and so we tend to just ignore things like this, or we just put up with it,” Mr Tan said.
“But coming in for a check up can help us identify any issues a person has.
“We have people come in who might be having an issue reading the small print in a newspaper, for example.
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“Whilst they are here we also check to the front and back of the eyes and that can pick up things like cataracts or glaucoma.”
The earlier an eye issue is identified, the quicker it can be addressed.
“There are 8455 people living in Benalla that are over the age of 40,” Mr Tan said.
“And we know that our optometrists have only seen 8246 in the last two years.
“That means there could be as many as 209 people in the area that are living life in a blur that don’t need to be.
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“I’m not surprised by these statistics as a lot of people don’t want to admit that their vision is just not what it used to be.
“I’ve had many patients that have been in this situation, but once they start wearing glasses or contact lenses and see the difference it makes in their day to day lives, they wished they’d come in sooner.”
Mr Tan said presbyopia, or difficulty focusing up close, is a natural part of the ageing process.
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“From around the age of 40, the natural lens within the eye which allows us to see clearly up close and far away naturally starts to lose its elasticity, affecting our ability to focus at near,” he said.
“Many of my patients who never needed glasses when they were younger find that they need reading glasses as they get older.”
Of those that have been prescribed glasses or contact lenses by an optometrist, half have admitted they do not wear them as often as they should.
Mr Tan said it took people time to accept the changes they were experiencing were normal.
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“Presbyopia is something that affects almost everyone,” he said.
“Depending on your needs and lifestyle, it may be that all you need is a pair of prescription reading glasses, multi-focal or contact lenses to make reading easier.
“Your optometrist will be able to make a recommendation on the best option for you and your lifestyle.
“At the end of the day, it’s 2020, the year of clear vision and we’re calling on all Benalla residents over 40 to commit to taking care of their eyes this year and book an appointment with an optometrist because why live life in a blur?”
● You can book an eye test by searching for Specsavers online or by phoning 5762 4911.
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