Media Response — The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
10th July 2025
Measured skepticism about the incentives of any medical provider to recommend a treatment, procedure or device should play a role when consumers are making decisions about their personal healthcare.
However, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) urges patients to ask more questions and ensure they understand the diagnosis they have been given and the subsequent basis for a recommended treatment, procedure or device before proceeding.
In the case of prescription eyeglasses, patients should have a sound understanding of why they have been prescribed and to the degree they are a necessity. If they do not, this should flag concern.
Refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia can be common reasons for prescription eyeglasses, even in the most minor of cases.
Some of these eye conditions are on the rise, namely, myopia, with half the world’s population expected to be affected by 2050. Current projections suggest myopia will become a leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide.
If the occurrence rate of prescription glasses is on the rise to treat refractive errors and other eye conditions, this should be a cause for concern and an area of funding focus for our federal and state government health services.
This is an evolving space, and more research is needed to understand the fundamental causes of ‘why’. Without understanding the ‘why’, we cannot effectively address the emerging public health issues.
Ophthalmologists — eye surgeons and specialists — are Australia’s preeminent leaders in eye health and some conditions only their specialist-trained eye can see.
In situations where further consultation is required, optometrists should and will refer patients to an ophthalmologist.
Vision is widely regarded as our most precious sense and each and every one of us has a responsibility to ‘love our eyes’.
The ASO encourages patients to seek specialist advice from an ophthalmologist whenever there is concern about their deteriorating or changing eye health.
Australians have a right of choice and seeking a second or third opinion can provide peace of mind and yield broader insights into a diagnosis and the available treatment options.
Myopia
Also referred to as ‘nearsightedness’, myopia is a common condition that is often diagnosed before adulthood. It affects your distance vision. Near objects will be visible but difficulty is experienced viewing objects that are further away.
Hyperopia
Also referred to as ‘farsightedness’, hyperopia is a common condition where distant objects are visible but nearby objects may appear blurry.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred distance and near vision. It is often present at birth and may occur in combination with ‘nearsightedness’ (myopia) or ‘farsightedness’ (hyperopia).
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is sometimes referred to as ‘age-related farsightedness’ due to the gradual loss of the ability to focus on nearby objects. In most instances, the condition becomes noticeable in early to mid-40s and progressively worsens until around the age of 65.
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