According to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), 6.5 per cent of Canterbury Bankstown residents are living with diabetes which is the equivalent to 26,810 locals.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in Australia, and on average, one in three people with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy in their lifetime.
Specsavers Bankstown Optometrist Mariella Coluccio said that early detection was key to managing the condition and once symptoms appeared, it may be too late with irreversible vision loss often occurring.
“Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye,” she said.
“In its initial stages, it doesn’t usually cause noticeable symptoms, so you may not even be aware you have it but the earlier we can detect it, the easier we can manage it.”
With the latest medical grade equipment and university-trained Optometrists and Audiologists, Specsavers Bankstown eye tests are bulk billed for Medicare card holders and there are multilingual staff on hand to cater for all in the community.
“It is recommended that everyone should have an eye test, regardless of age,” Mariella said.
To book your appointment or for more info, go to specsavers.com.au/bankstown.
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CELEBRATING their 15th anniversary this year, Specsavers Bankstown have been not only saving the sight of hundreds but also lives through a simple eye test which is sometimes a good indicator of general health.
