Bushtelegraph - The Bush Telegraph Weekly

DON’T TURN ABLIND EYE TO YOURFAMILY MEDICAL HISTORYIn the lead up to this year’s World Glaucoma Week, 10-16 March,Specsavers Hornsby optometrist and co-owner Roland Tan is urgingresidents to talk about their family medical history.“First degree relatives of glaucoma patients have an 8-fold increasedrisk of developing the disease, so it’s important we know the conditionsour family members have been diagnosed with so that we’re not caughtunawares,” Mr Tan said.Alarmingly, 50% of people with glaucoma in Australia are currentlyundiagnosed [i] .“Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and isknown as the ‘sneak thief of sight’ because it has very few symptoms untilthe condition is advanced,” he added. “If glaucoma goes undetected it cangradually destroy your eyesight, leaving you blind.”Mr Tan reminds the community that simply talking about your family’smedical history and having a regular eye test could save your sight:“Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma and whilst it is more commonas people get older, it can occur at any age. If caught early, appropriatetreatment can prevent further deterioration to sight, but we cannot undodamage once it has occurred.“Knowing your family medical history will help you and your healthproviders make a more informed decision about prevention and screeningfor a range of conditions and ensure you are able to keep avoidableconditions at bay.”Specsavers recommends everyone, particularlythose over the age of 40 or with family history ofeye conditions includingglaucoma, have acomprehensive eye testevery two years[i]http://www.glaucoma.org.au/ fun rides market stalls kids kornercars junior area international food stallsgames emergency services & more!THOMSON LANDSCAPE& GARDEN SUPPLIES P/LAlso trading as BEROWRA SAND & SOILONLY SITUATED AT44 BEAUMONT RD, MT KURING-GAIHUGE SAVINGS ON . . .Pavers & Masonry Retaining Walls (C&M, Boral,Austral, Erosion Control Stone Masonry, PGH, Hanson.)Treated pine sleepers, Logs & LatticeWater tanks in stockLarge selection of Mulches availableFirewood, sand, soils and composts, landscape& building supplies and much moreMON - FRI - 7 - 5SAT - 7 - 3SUN - 8 - 129457 8016OPEN8The Bush Telegraph Weekly – Thursday 7 March 2013