Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AS MANY AS half of all adults in Ireland have neglected to have eye health check-ups as frequently as recommended, a new survey reveals.
A fifth have never had a sight test at all, and assume they have 20/20 vision. This figure rises to 36% among those aged under 35.
The figures are contained in a new Behaviour & Attitudes survey of 1000 adults, released in advance of Healthy Eyes awareness week.
Check-up
The week is being coordinated by the Federation of Dispensing Opticians (FODO) Ireland, the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI) and the Irish Association of Dispensing Opticians (IADO).
Half of those surveyed had not had an eye check-up in the past two years, the recommended maximum period between examinations.
FODO Ireland’s head of policy Ann Blackmore said that despite a fear of losing their eyesight, most people do not include their eyes as a “core part of their health routine”.
“An eye test is a vital health check which can detect a range of health conditions for which you may be experiencing no symptoms and where early detection can prevent sight loss,” she added.
The alliance of groups are warning that as the number of people aged over 65 is expected to double within decades, eye health needs to be a priority, and have flagged that many are now experiencing eye strain due to the increased use of smartphones.
The Government has committed to the objectives of Vision 2020, a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s such a tragedy but unfortunately these kids were swimming in the crocodiles territory. There were multiple warning signs around the area warning of the dangers, and the park rangers had gone to these communities educating the people about the dangers of crocodiles. Hopefully they find this child’s body for the families sake, a horrible tragedy all round.
I hope it was quick and painless, horrible way to go
I have an Aussie (18) living with me at the moment. She tells me they grow up with all the dangers (sharks, killer jellyfish, killer snakes, killer spiders, etc) and kinda know what to look out for. I read somewhere that 8 of the top 10 most dangerous animals are in Oz. It doesn’t prevent accidents always of course and my thoughts are with his family at this awful time.
I’m almost physically sick thinking about the terror faced by the kids here. Warnings aside it’s a terrible tragedy.
Surely there was warning signs around since it was a national park?
I’m living there at the moment. There are only signs for places where you are allowed to swim as the crocs are so common. Young kids just act so casual to the threat
Kakadu is absolutely huge, can’t have warning signs around every bilabong
Out of the 10 deadliest snakes in the world Australia has 10. I swam in kakadu myself its easy to sit here and talk about signs but your talking about a park bigger than some countries
Yea you can swim in the areas where there are no crocs and there’s a sign up saying its safe to swim….person above said this was one of the unsafe areas…
What about the 2 innocent crocodiles killed in the aftermath?
Swimming in Darwin is a huge no no. We were stoppedby a homeless man on the beach because we would have been attacked. Thought all the locals knew this stuff. Poor kid
I wonder what his ransom will be?
Gary
Not funny at all. Keep such comments and ideas to yourself.
Aics
Comment also applies to those green thumbing Gary’s comment unless by accident
Steve, no one gives a f uck what you think.
Good one ball bag, have you got one for blacks, tinkers, paddys, Jews?
have your say