Smoking can cause blindness

An estimated 20,000 Australians have macular degeneration that can be attributed to their smoking and around 8,000 of these people develop legal blindness in both eyes that is likely to have been caused by their smoking.

A second set of graphic health warnings including an image of smoking caused blindness is soon to appear on cigarette packets. The graphic warnings were first introduced to Australia about a year ago and have been found to be the most effective way to get across to smokers the range and severity of the health risks they face.

Please click here to read The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, media release about the warnings. Click here to see the new smoking causes blindness warning.

The success of the graphic warnings are supported by Quit, for details click here.

Victorians urged to Save their Sight and skin from the sun

SunSmart and Vision 2020 Australia have launched a Sunglass information sheet explaining the risk of sunlight and UV radiation on vision and what Victorians can do to prevent it. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases the risk of cataract, which affects approximately 1.5 million Australians. Click here to read the sunglass information sheet.

Victorians are asked to speak to their optometrist, ophthalmologist or GP about how they can protect their eyes from UV radiation.

Macular degeneration, a silent thief robbing Victorians of their sight

The Macular Degeneration Foundation joined forces with Vision 2020 Australia to provide an opportunity for Victorians to attend free community education session to raise awareness about this important health issue between January and May 2007. Macular Degeneration Awareness Week is coming up from 25 June to 1 July 2007, click here for more information.

Media Coverage

Date

Media Coverage

3 April 07

Prevent blindness - Vision - Australia is part of a global initiative that ambitiously aims to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss by the year 2020. Vision 2020 Australia encourages all people over 40, with diabetes or a family history of eye disease to visit their optometrist or ophthalmologist for a detailed eye examination.

Waverley Leader, Progress Leader, Hastings Leader, Frankston Standard Leader

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