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Andrew Crawford Ophthalmologist Diamond Valley Eye Clinic

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Check your macula Take your vitamins Dont Smoke Do / Dont eat margarine Do / Dont drink red wine What does it all mean, How can we all help?

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Wrong Glasses / No Glasses

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Cataract Diabetic Eye Disease Glaucoma Macular Degeneration

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A Technological Success Story Artificial replacement of a worn-out lens Surgery is suitable for all who have significant symptoms Waiting to be ready/ripe is historic If youre fit for a haircut, youre fit for a cataract operation

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Diabetes is a huge and growing numerical problem Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels

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Diabetes is a huge and growing numerical problem Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels Uncontrolled Sugar Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Uncontrolled Cholesterol

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A slow, insidious process Course is over many months years Generally few symptoms, unless/until macula is involved

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Primary Treatment Control Sugar, Blood Press, Cholest Secondary Treatment Laser and/or Injections Management Strategy Control Sugar, BP, Cholesterol 2-yearly checks for asymptomatic Disease Report central visual loss without delay

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A Constant Struggle Sugar, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Help is at hand, when needed Regular Checks to detect asymptomatic problems Report major change in vision

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Gradual thinning of the optic nerve Precipitated, or worsened, by high pressure in the eye Treated by lifelong lowering of eye pressure Eyedrops, laser and/or surgery 2% of population Family History is an important risk

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The Sneak Thief of Sight Painless Few Visual Symptoms until late stage

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Treatment Generally aimed at lowering eye pressure Eyedrops Modern drops are very effective Treatment is lifelong Laser Surgery

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Management Strategy Diagnosis If Family History, screen 10 yrs earlier Screen everyone 2-yrly after 60yo Treatment Compliance Eyedrops regularly, for life

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Early ARMD Macular Wear & Tear, The Old Bedsheet Slow, gradual process Dry ARMD Wear & Tear runs into holes Increased rate of deterioration Wet ARMD New Blood Vessels sprout, leak, bleed Sudden and severe visual loss

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Injection Treatment Generally very effective Years of treatment, 1-2 monthly Over $2000/treatment, $20,000/year/eye Capacity and Funding are limited Financial, Political and Ethical dilemma

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90% of ARMD is Dry

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There is no highly effective treatment Diet may be a small help Supplements are smaller help if good diet Experimental Laser in Melbourne

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Management Strategy Reduce Risk Dont Smoke Follow MD Diet Green Leafy + Yellow Corn Check for Early ARMD If present, be alert for sudden visual change and report this without delay

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Check your macula Take your vitamins Dont Smoke Do / Dont eat margarine Do / Dont drink red wine What does it all mean, How can we all help?

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Cataract Check poor vision, surgery if disabling Diabetes Encourage Sugar, BP, Cholesterol 2yr checks, Report major deteriorations Glaucoma Check from 60yo Encourage and check eyedrop compliance ARMD Dont smoke, Good diet 2yr checks, Report major deteriorations

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Questions...

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