News & Events

Colin Donovan

Colin can see thanks to 'accidental' diagnosis

ABC radio journalist Colin Donovan said an accidental diagnosis during a routine eye test saved his eyesight. The busy journalist and on-air presenter was having his eyes tested for new glasses when his optometrist saw something odd in his irises.

"The optometrist noticed some brown flecks in my eyes and was concerned they could be cancerous," he said. "I immediately arranged to see an ophthalmologist for further tests. The brown flecks turned out to be nothing, but while I was there, the ophthalmologist ran some pressure tests on my eyes and diagnosed me with glaucoma."

He said that eye test saved his sight.

"My optometrist did me a huge favour by raising concerns with my eyes, even though his original diagnosis wasn't correct," he said. "If I didn't have that eye test when I was in my forties, I could be blind today."

Mr Donovan said his glaucoma had not affected his vision and he used medicated eye drops twice a day to prevent his glaucoma worsening. But he now realises just how lucky he was that the condition was picked up so early.

"I've just recently found out that my uncle also has glaucoma, but he didn't find out about it early enough," he said. "He eventually lost almost all of his sight because of the condition.

"If I hadn't had my initial eye test, I may not have found out about the glaucoma until it was too late."

Colin encourages all Australians who are 40 or older to have regular eye tests and to monitor the health of their eyes.

"If you're over 40 you should have your eyes tested. It could save your sight."

To find out more about glaucoma visit Glaucoma Australia's website at www.glaucoma.org.au

Sharon Donovan

Debilitating symptoms cured with a new pair of glasses

Sharon Donovan was in her final year of studies for a midwifery course when she began to suffer from severe headaches and vision problems.

The 43-year-old suspected she needed to update the prescription for her glasses but was unable to get the time off from work and study to visit the optometrist. The lack of services available in her Indigenous community also made it difficult.

"It was too difficult to schedule an appointment with an optometrist because I was so busy travelling from my home in Taree to the University of Technology in Sydney," Sharon said.

"But my headaches and vision problems only got worse. It really became a problem when I started spending long hours in front of the computer and constantly reading my nursing text books."

Sharon said she didn't realise how badly her eye problems were interfering with her life until she took part in the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey. Vision 2020 Australia member International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) identified her vision problems and arranged for her to see an ICEE-trained Aboriginal eye care coordinator, who prescribed a new, stronger pair of spectacles.

"It was great to be able to see clearly again and to live a life free of headaches and vision problems,'' says Sharon. "A simple eye test and a new pair of glasses was all it took to dramatically improve my quality of life and allow me to get on with my studies."

Now with her improved sight Sharon's headaches are a distant memory and she is on her way to completing her midwifery degree.

This year for World Sight Day Sharon is encouraging other Australians who are 40 and over to have their vision checked.

To find out more about refractive error visit the International Centre for Eyecare Education's website at
www.icee.org

Margaret Hammond

A simple eye test saved Margaret's sight

Margaret Hammond had no idea she had a condition that could have claimed her sight until she had a routine eye test. The registered nurse, then 46 years old, thought her eye health and vision were perfect.

"I wasn't concerned about having my eyes tested regularly because I thought I was fine - until I was diagnosed with glaucoma," she said. "If I didn't have my eyes tested when I was 46, I might not have been able to see today. It's that simple."

Ms Hammond said she decided to get her eyes tested after her aunt and her first cousin were diagnosed with glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease. After a routine check-up with her optometrist, she was sent to an ophthalmologist for further tests and was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1996. Now 58, Ms Hammond said she is thankful she made that decision.

"Early detection of the condition saved my sight," she said. "Glaucoma is an insidious condition, and once the damage is done it can't be repaired. Even though I didn't have any concerns with my vision, I thought it was best to have my eyes tested and I'm so glad I did.

"Because of the familial link, I wasn't that surprised with the diagnosis, but it was still a shock to be diagnosed with an incurable condition when I didn't think there was anything wrong with my eyes. There was no vision loss or pain."

Her condition was arrested early, so Ms Hammond is lucky to still have excellent vision. She maintains her eye health by using medicated eye drops twice a day and has regular eye tests.

"Because my condition was diagnosed early, having glaucoma has not affected how I live my life," she said. "Yes I have an incurable eye condition, but I am diligent about putting in my eye drops and protecting my eyes."

Ms Hammond says Vision 2020 Australia member Glaucoma Australia has been an invaluable resource in helping her manage her condition.

"Glaucoma Australia was the first place I turned to after my diagnosis. I called them up and they sent out all this fantastic information which helped me to understand my condition and how I could live with it," she said.

"I still receive regular newsletters that are full of interesting articles. I now realise that glaucoma is more common than I originally thought, especially among people in their forties."

Margaret's message for all Australians this World Sight Day is simple - don't leave it to chance.

"Don't wait until you think something is wrong," she said. "If you're over 40, you should have your eyes tested regularly, even if - like me - you think your eyes are perfect. It's such a simple thing to have your eyes tested and it can save your sight."

To find out more about glaucoma visit Glaucoma Australia's website at www.glaucoma.org.au

Adriene Howley

No eyes? No problem for Australia's top Buddhist monk

Adrienne Howley has crammed a lot of action into her 82 years. She's travelled the world, become a published author and been ordained by the Dalai Lama. But the toughest challenge she's faced was losing her sight.

A diving accident she experienced as a teenager resulted in a detached retina - a problem which later contributed to her vision loss. Adrienne's sight began to deteriorate 12 years ago but her vision problems began long before that.

"When I was in my fifties I was in France in a supermarket and I suddenly felt as if the skin had been ripped off my brain. It was my retina giving way, but I didn't take notice of it. Looking back, I had carried a time bomb in my head and didn't realise it," she says.

"Years later, I found I had to go outside to read the paper. Next, a little black dot started to jump about before my eyes. Then there was a letter missing when I tried to read, then a word had gone," she recalls. "I went to the optometrist and a specialist and they said they couldn't do anything for me. I thought 'It's about time I admitted I was vision impaired'.

"When I realised I needed help, I went to Vision 2020 Australia member Vision Australia. It's opened up a new life for me. The hardest thing is to ask for help. But once you get over the first hurdle the world opens."

Adrienne uses Vision Australia's low vision and library services and visits the local centre every couple of months to learn about new adaptive technologies that can make living at home easier for her.

Despite her vision problems, Adrienne has lived an amazing life.

Eleven years after she was ordained by the Dalai Lama in Italy back in 1982, Adrienne took the highest ordination vows possible from a Vietnamese Buddhist master. She is now the most senior Buddhist monk in Australia and is officially known as the Venerable Adrienne Howley.

Her books on the subject are sold worldwide. Adrienne also wrote My Heart, My Country about the life of poet Dorothea Mackellar, who she nursed for many years.

Adrienne is currently working on her autobiography, which follows a booklet on vision loss - Now You See It, Now You Don't.
"Everyone's story about how they lost their sight is different, so I put in my experience plus that of others. I kept it as light as possible to show that life goes on," she says.

More information about Vision Australia services can be found at www.visionaustralia.org

Willie Jarparula

Surgery gives Willie his eyes back

Willie Jarparula Long thought he would never see again after he developed a blinding cataract. His vision was affected so badly he relied on his family members to help him complete even the most basic of tasks.

The 76-year-old was unable to have the surgery he needed to restore his sight because of a shortage of eye health services in his remote community at Creek Camp in the Northern Territory. But thanks to Vision 2020 Australia member The Fred Hollows Foundation, Willie has been given a second chance to see.

Willie was among 50 patients from remote Indigenous communities that underwent eye operations at Alice Springs Hospital in April during a week-long surgery blitz run by The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Ophthalmologist Tim Henderson removed a serious cataract from Willie's right eye during the surgery. If the cataract had not been removed, Willie would have eventually gone completely blind.

The Fred Hollows Foundation works with many Indigenous communities across Australia to prevent older Australians such as Willie, from going blind.

Since his surgery in April, Willie no longer needs his family members to help him manage his day-to-day activities and has regained his independence.

To find out more about the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation visit www.hollows.org.au

Ted Thorburn

Ted says he is blind but "lucky"

Ted Thorburn can find a bright side to almost anything - even going blind. He was born with glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease, but he managed to pack a lot of adventure into his life before his eyesight failed.

"I was one of the lucky ones," he said. "I had fair vision until I was in my mid-to-late thirties. I'd travelled and worked throughout Australia in my younger years so I'd had a chance to do a lot of interesting things."

The 55-year-old from Mossman, Queensland, is a mentor, poet and inspiration to many people in his region, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. But he's had his share of struggle. He went through a tough ''loss period" when glaucoma claimed much of his vision.

"I was just getting over the loss of vision in my right eye when my second one started to go. Then I started to tumble over," he said.

"It took me several years to realise that I was going to have to use a cane; I was in denial. I kept feeling sorry for myself and generally floated around in my late thirties and early forties. Looking back, I wasted a lot of years. The only thing that kept me going was good rellies. We used to go camping and did a bit of travelling."

The turning point came in 2000 when he joined a local support group for people with blindness and low vision.

"I became involved in committees and voluntary work," he said. "I also discovered the computer was accessible and this opened up a whole new world.

"I now have precious little vision and use a cane for mobility but here I am enjoying life again. Yes, and using a white cane - it's not as bad as it seems, truly!"

To find out more about glaucoma visit Glaucoma Australia's website at www.glaucoma.org.au

More information about Vision Australia services can be found at www.visionaustralia.org

Sybil Tothill

If she'd had an eye test in time, Sybil would just be walking the dog

Sybil Tothill adores Fred. The lovable guide dog is not only her companion but also her eyes. But if she'd had a simple eye test she might never have needed him.

Sybil was blinded by untreated diabetic retinopathy and subsequently, age-related macular degeneration. But to make matters worse, she now knows that her diabetic retinopathy may have been preventable or treatable if it was detected earlier.

"If I had sought treatment earlier, or had more regular eye tests I might not be blind today," she said. "When I was first told I would have to learn to live without my sight, I experienced absolute disbelief. I could not believe that I was going blind and there was nothing I could do. I begged the doctor for glasses - anything. But it was too late."

She had always led an active life since retiring from teaching, but when she started losing her sight seven years ago, everyday life became difficult. Tasks such as filling out a form, reading a book and leaving the house to go shopping or to the bank became impossible.

Now in her late 70s, Sybil has maintained her independence thanks to the support and services of Vision 2020 Australia member Association for the Blind of WA.

She borrows audio books to indulge her passion for reading and uses adaptive technology to access the internet, e-mail and do her banking on-line.

Two years ago, Fred came into her life. Fred can't give Sybil her eyes back but he has helped her get her life back. She is now even more independent and mobile.

"Life has become truly marvellous in the past two years since Fred has come into my life," said Sybil.

"It may not have been the life I imagined, but with Fred by my side, it's still a marvellous life. We try and master a different challenge each week, no matter how minor and having Fred has restored my confidence so I don't feel that I am stuck at home alone anymore."

This year for World Sight Day Sybil is encouraging other older Australians to take care of their vision and access assistance and support from organisations such as the Association for the Blind.

The MD Foundation offers a range of information for people interested in finding out more about macular degeneration. Visit www.mdfoundation.com.au

To find out more about low vision services in Western Australia visit The Association for the Blind of WA's website at www.abwa.asn.au

Ruby Wood

High-tech gadgets give blind granny new independence

Ruby Wood has lived in the same Melbourne house for almost 60 years and knows every nook and cranny of it. But when the 86-year-old was declared legally blind in 2005 due to age-related macular degeneration she feared she would be forced to move.

"I had a little peripheral vision so I could still get about and do my things but I was worried I eventually wouldn't be able to cope on my own," she said. "But I didn't want to go. I didn't want to lose my independence.

"The worst thing was that I couldn't read so I would go down to the club to ask a friend to read my bills and letters, or I had to get my neighbour to help. My son and daughter live about 50 minutes away, so they can't be here every day."

Fortunately, Vision 2020 Australia member Vision Australia has adapted Ruby's house to make it easier for her to live there. This included placing white non-slip strips along her back steps for better visibility and putting tactile markers on her stove so she could feel the settings - little things that have made a big difference. Vision Australia also provided Ruby with a large-face watch, a large-button phone and a liquid level - a gadget that tells her when a cup is full.

But her favourite piece of equipment is the closed-circuit television (CCTV) that Vision Australia installed for her in late 2006. Ruby simply places text - be it on a medicine bottle or in a book - on a plate and the image is displayed on a monitor at eye level.

"I was amazed I could read again," says Ruby. "It's changed my lifestyle. I'm more independent now. That was the worst thing about macular degeneration - I could do most things with some effort, but I found it very hard to read the labels on my medicine bottles."

Ruby is determined to help spread the word about the services and equipment Vision Australia can offer other elderly people.

"I think you have to make the effort," she says. "You can't just say 'I can't do it. It's difficult.' You need determination and you have to want to be helped; then you can achieve anything you set out to do. In my case, I can stay in my own home and look after myself."

The MD Foundation offers a range of information for people interested in finding out more about macular degeneration. Visit www.mdfoundation.com.au

More information about Vision Australia services can be found at www.visionaustralia.org