Dame Judi Dench's confession of severe sight problems from Macular Degeneration* highlights the plight suffered by many older people.
But sight loss is no longer an inevitable consequence of ageing, there are things people can do to protect their vision, says leading sight loss charity Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Leading cause
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK.
As its name suggests it mainly affects people in their 60 and 70's.
There are two types of AMD, referred to as wet and dry. Research indicates that there will be an increase in the number of people diagnosed with AMD over the next decade. While there is no treatment for dry AMD, with swift diagnosis and treatment, people no longer need to lose their sight to wet AMD.
Early detection is vital.
What to look out for
If you experience any of the following symptoms make an appointment for an eye examination with your optometrist (optician). You can also call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk for advice.
-
Your central vision is blurred and straight lines appear wavy or fuzzy.
-
Your eyes are sensitive to light or you see lights and colours that aren't there.
-
You struggle to recognise faces or see the small print in newspapers.
-
Your overall vision is blurred or cloudy.
-
You have blank spots in your vision.
"Not inevitable"
Clara Eaglen, Policy and Campaigns Manager at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: "Our eye sight can deteriorate as we get older, but sight loss isn't an inevitable consequence of ageing. There are things people can do to protect their vision.
"Wearing the right prescription glasses or contact lenses is essential and regular eye tests, at least every two years, can pick up conditions such as AMD or glaucoma.
Healthy lifestyle
"A healthy lifestyle is also important.
"Smokers not only double their risk of developing AMD, they also tend to develop it earlier than non-smokers do. However, stopping smoking and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables can help to keep your eyes as healthy as possible for as long as possible."
Ends
For further press information or case studies contact Stacey Kerr, Senior PR Officer, RNIB on 020 7391 2290, email stacey.kerr@rnib.org.uk
* Interview with Dame Judi Dench featured in Daily Mirror, Saturday 18 February.
Case studies
Case study examples:
Daphne, 77, is the same age as Judi Dench and was diagnosed with dry AMD 14 years ago. Daphne describes her sight loss as a very, very gradual deterioration which she first became aware of when she couldn't find the last line on the page when reading and when she could no longer tell how many stars there were on programme review ratings in the TV guide…
"The thing I really missed was reading" says Daphne, "the other things are really just irritations to me as my eyesight gets worse, but when my grandchildren were small I missed not reading to them dreadfully. I found that very, very hard indeed."
Key statistics
"Over 50 per cent of sight loss can be avoided."
Source: Access Economics, 2009
"The number of people in the UK with sight loss is set to increase dramatically. It is predicted that by 2050 the number of people with sight loss in the UK will double to nearly four million."
Source: Access Economics, 2009
"Sight loss affects people of all ages. As we get older we are increasingly likely to experience sight loss."
Source: Access Economics, 2009
-
1 in 5 people aged 75 and over are living with sight loss
-
1 in 2 people aged 90 and over are living with sight loss
-
63 per cent of people with sight loss are female, 37 per cent are male.
"Every day 100 people in the UK start losing their sight."
Source: 2003 data on new registrations