There is an alarming risk that people experiencing a symptom of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Australia, will dismiss the symptoms and delay seeking expert advice, according to new research.

Local residents who are over 50 – the at-risk group for macular degeneration – need to take the time to have an eye test which should include having their macula checked.

This week is Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, an important time to think about your eye health.

Given early detection is critical to saving sight, the lack of symptom recognition could risk blindness.

A national survey commissioned by the Macular Degeneration Foundation and conducted by leading research company Galaxy Research showed that if a person was experiencing a symptom of macular degeneration, 60 per cent thought they just needed glasses and 25 per cent dismissed a symptom as computer-related eye strain.

Do not fool yourself into thinking that you are just experiencing computer-related eye strain or feeling tired.

Macular degeneration causes loss of central vision which is vital to the ability to read, drive, recognise faces and see colours clearly.

Regular eye tests and macula checks also provide the opportunity to discuss the role and importance of nutrition and lifestyle which are critical for good eye health and risk reduction.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

- Difficulty with reading or any other activity with fine vision.

- Distortion where straight lines appear wavy or bent.

- Distinguishing faces becomes a problem.

- Dark patches or empty spaces appear in the centre of your vision.

Source: inmycommunity