May is Macula Month and the perfect time to learn if you’re at risk of macular disease. 

Did you know that macular disease is the leading cause of legal blindness in Australia? The most common macular disease is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD destroys central vision, making it difficult to recognise faces, read or drive a car. 

One in seven people over the age of 50 have signs of this sight-threatening disease but may not know it. If you have diabetes, you’re also at risk of diabetic eye disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Australians. 

Are you at risk?

You can learn more about your specific risk factors by taking Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s online quiz: 

Blinded by the night? At Bayside Optical, we know that road safety starts with good vision, and that means seeing well at all distances, in all conditions – particularly at night. 

While reduced visibility at night poses additional risk to all drivers, Australians with uncorrected vision are at an even greater risk due to an impaired ability to detect and respond to potential dangers.
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Did you know?

• 1 in 5 drivers can’t see the road clearly due to uncorrected poor vision
• 22% of Australians squint to see better while driving at night
• From about the age of 40, night vision typically deteriorates

Have you experienced…

1. Visual sensitivity to oncoming headlights?
2. Haloes or flaring around headlights, street or traffic lights?
3. Squinting to see better at night?
4. Difficulty judging the distance of oncoming vehicles?
5. Trouble reading road signs and number plates?
6. Difficulty seeing lane markings?
7. Difficulty seeing in changing light conditions (dusk to night)?
8. Needing to drive slowly or reluctant to drive at night?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s time to book in for an an eye test.