When did you last have your eyes checked?
World Sight Day falls on Thursday 8 October. The global campaign behind it has a simple message this year: Love Your Eyes.
It is a good moment to ask a question most of us can't answer straight away. When did you last have your eyes checked?
Most vision loss doesn't have to happen
Around 90% of blindness and vision impairment in Australia is preventable or treatable if it is detected early. That figure comes from the Australian Government Department of Health.
The catch is in the last word. Several of the conditions that do the most damage give no warning in their early stages. By the time you notice something, some sight may already be gone.
Glaucoma, the "silent thief of sight"
Glaucoma Australia estimates that more than 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. Half of them don't know it. It usually develops slowly and without symptoms, taking side vision first. Left untreated, the vision it takes does not come back.
Your risk is higher if you:
have a parent, brother, sister or child with glaucoma
are over 50
have diabetes
are of African or Asian descent
are short sighted or long sighted
have taken steroid (cortisone) medicine for a long time
have a history of high or low blood pressure
Family history matters most. Glaucoma Australia says you are 10 times more likely to have glaucoma if a direct family member has it.
Its advice is an eye examination with an optometrist every two years from age 50. If glaucoma runs in your family, or you are of Asian or African descent, start at 40.
Diabetes and your eyes
Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye. This is called diabetes-related retinopathy. In its early stages it may cause no symptoms or changes to your vision at all. An eye check can pick it up before you notice anything.
Diabetes Australia says nearly half of all Australians with diabetes aren't having regular diabetes eye checks. The NDSS recommends a check every 1 to 2 years for most people with diabetes. Your doctor or optometrist may suggest more often. That is especially likely if you already have an eye condition or are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol within your target ranges also lowers the risk. KeepSight, Diabetes Australia's eye check reminder program, can let you know when your next check is due.
Where to start
You don't need a referral to see an optometrist for an eye test. According to healthdirect, Medicare subsidises eye tests by optometrists for Australian permanent residents.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease, it is also worth raising at your next GP appointment. Eye health is part of the bigger picture of looking after a long-term condition.
When not to wait for a routine check
Some changes need attention sooner. See your doctor or optometrist promptly if you notice:
blurred or wavy vision
floating spots or flashes
new discomfort with light or glare
difficulty seeing at night
Sudden loss of vision or sudden severe eye pain is an emergency. Call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
To make an appointment at Your Health Griffith, call 02 6962 7661 or book online through HotDoc.
Source
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, World Sight Day, read 2 October 2026: iapb.world
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Eye health and vision: health.gov.au
Glaucoma Australia, Risk factors for glaucoma: glaucoma.org.au
Diabetes Australia, Your eye health and diabetes: diabetesaustralia.com.au
NDSS, Eye health and diabetes fact sheet, version 1.0.0, July 2026: ndss.com.au
healthdirect, Eye tests: healthdirect.gov.au
