A new national survey from Specsavers has revealed many Australians aged 35 to 50 are struggling with blurry or unclear vision during everyday tasks yet the vast majority remain unaware of a likely cause: a common age-related condition called presbyopia.
Despite more than half of respondents reporting difficulty seeing clearly when reading in low light (59%), using their phone or computer (51%), as well as reading in general (42%), an overwhelming 72% said they had never heard of presbyopia.
Presbyopia occurs as the eye’s lens gradually changes with age, typically from around 40 years old, making it more difficult to focus on near objects.
“We ask a lot from our eyes and presbyopia is a normal process that occurs over time, but it often flies under the radar because people could be adopting short-term workarounds that mask the issue,” Erina Specsavers Optometrist Nikesh Tanna said.
“While those tricks can help for a while, they become less effective over time and without treatment, the condition can worsen and seriously impact quality of life.”
The survey revealed a range of common coping strategies Australians use to get by with declining close-up vision, including resizing screen text, using a phone torch to see more clearly, holding reading material at arm’s length, asking someone else to read small print, choosing the set menu at a restaurant to avoid reading small fonts and borrowing someone else’s glasses.
While these tactics might seem harmless, Tanna warned they often delayed proper diagnosis and treatment.
“The Specsavers survey reveals that untreated presbyopia can cause avoidable daily frustrations, from misreading a weather forecast and dressing inappropriately to botching a recipe due to misread measurements or even ruining clothes by failing to read the washing instructions properly,” Tanna said.
“But more seriously, it can increase the risk of dangerous situations such as taking the wrong medication or making mistakes behind the wheel.”
Things can get serious when people who may be living with an undiagnosed vision issue get behind the wheel with the research highlighting driving, especially at night, identified as a real challenge.
Nearly half (43%) of those surveyed said their driving confidence had declined compared to their 20s or 30s, and night-time driving was a particular concern with 48% finding it harder to read road signs at night, 57% reporting seeing more glare or halos, 51% avoiding a night-time drive and 57% saying they had felt unsafe driving at night due to vision concerns, either their own or their driver’s.
Alarmingly, this loss of clarity and confidence is leading to real-world consequences with 8% reporting to having had a road accident linked to night-time vision issues, 15% saying they’ve had a near miss and 38% admitting to erratic driving behaviour during night-time trips like sudden braking, unsanctioned U-turns and confusing indicating.
In response to vision challenges while driving, many have developed unconscious habits, including leaning forward to “see better”, squinting at street signs and tightly gripping the steering wheel.
“In addition to these reported red flags, people may experience difficulties reading the dashboard or find it challenging switching their vision from the dashboard to the traffic ahead,” Tanna said.
“Compensatory behaviours like squinting and leaning forward to see better point to people adapting their behaviour due to discomfort or uncertainty on the road.
“People often don’t realise that a simple eye test and the right vision correction could dramatically improve their confidence and safety.”
Despite the warning signs, almost 40% of those surveyed say they haven’t had an eye test in many years and in some cases, never.
Optometrists recommend eye tests at least every two years from the age of 18 onwards or sooner if any changes in vision are noticed.
Vision changes around mid-life are common, but they shouldn’t be ignored.
An eye test is the easiest and most effective way to detect presbyopia and other conditions early and get the right treatment.
At Specsavers, every comprehensive eye test includes an advanced 3D eye scan (OCT) that looks at the back of the eye and can help to detect eye conditions even before any symptoms.
Eye tests are bulkbilled for anyone with a valid Medicare card.
Visit https://www.specsavers.com.au/ to find your nearest Specsavers or to book an appointment.
People who consume milk and milk products do have eye problems.Dairy cows eat silage which is dry rot they go blind known as silage eye.they also have diabetes and chron’s like disease known as BJD bovine johnes disease from eating silage.Also people who have chronic candida do have blurry eyes and vision problems.Cows milk also contain morphine which is given to them so they can be milked when they pregnant.Over use of antibiotics gives you eye problems also.All of these I have experienced in my long life now after catarract operation and strict diet I have no eye problem any more.
Editor’s note: No evidence of the assertions made here have been provided.