Common eye conditions
In 2009, almost 575,000 Australians were blind or had vision. As Australia’s population ages, the number of people who are blind or have vision loss is predicted to rise to almost 801,000 by 2020.
The good news is around 75 per cent of vision loss is preventable or treatable.
Approximately 80 per cent of vision loss in Australia is caused by five conditions, all of which become more common as you get older (listed alphabetically):
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with ageing that gradually destroys central vision.
Cataracts
A cataract is clouding of the lens inside the eye. Poor vision results because the cloudiness interferes with light entering the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (a form of diabetic eye disease) is a complication of diabetes that affects the small blood vessels of the retina.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma describes a group of eye diseases which slowly destroy the optic nerve at the back of the eye.
Refractive error
Refractive error is a disorder, not a disease. It means that the eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in blurred vision.
To find out more, see our Frequently Asked Questions or download the information sheets below.
Indigenous eye health
Alarmingly, blindness is 6.2 times higher and vision impairment 2.8 times higher for the Indigenous population in comparison to the general Australian community.
Overall, 94 per cent of vision loss within Indigenous Australians is preventable or treatable, but 35 per cent of adults have never had an eye examination.
To find out more, download the information sheet below or visit the University of Melbourne—Indigenous Eye Health Unit website.