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Eye infections might seem like a minor complaint – but in some cases they can cause blindness and even death

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-taylor-283950">Adam Taylor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176">Lancaster University</a> When you think of eye infections, what comes to mind? Puffy, swollen bruised feeling eyelids that get glued together with gunk overnight? That feeling of having grit in your eye that can’t be cleaned away? Eye infections may seem like a relatively minor – if unsightly and inconvenient – complaint, but they can also be far more serious. Take the deadly outbreak of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5022785/">antibiotic resistant</a> bacteria <a href="https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/burkholderia-cepacia-complex-b-cepacia">Burkholderia cepacia</a> in 2023-24, for example. Between January 2023 and February 2024, contaminated brands of lubricating eye gel were linked to the infection of at least 52 patients. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/contaminated-eye-gel-outbreak-death-b2523446.html">One person died</a> and at least 25 others suffered serious infections. The outbreak has now subsided and products are <a href="https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/specific-brands-of-carbomer-eye-gel-recall-of-aacarb-eye-gel-aacomer-eye-gel-and-puroptics-eye-gel-potential-risk-of-infection-dsi-slash-2023-slash-11#update-2-april-2024">back on the shelves</a> but it isn’t the first time that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8335909/">medicinal products</a> have led to outbreaks of B cepacia. The bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen known to pose a significant risk to people with cystic fibrosis, chronic lung conditions and weakened immune systems. The infection likely progresses from the mucous membranes of the eyelids to the lungs where it leads to pneumonia and septicaemia causing <a href="https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/17/2/295">death in days</a>. But it’s not just B cepacia that can threaten our health. Something as simple as rubbing our eyes can introduce pathogens leading to infection, blindness and, in the worst case, death. Bacteria account for up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16148850/">70% of eye infections</a> and globally <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9032492/">over 6 million people</a> have blindness or moderate visual impairment from ocular infection. Contact lens wearers are at <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/contact-lens-related-eye-infections">increased risk</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWsx8i1kaxs?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> The eye is a unique structure. It converts light energy to chemical and then electrical energy, which is transmitted to the brain and converted to a picture. The eye uses about <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11556/">6 million cones and 120 million rods</a> which detect colour and light. Eye cells have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8775779/">no ability to regenerate</a> so, once damaged or injured, cannot be repaired or replaced. The body tries its best to preserve the eyes by encasing them in a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531490/">bony protective frame</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482428/">limiting exposure</a> having eyelids to defend against the environmental damage and ensure the eyes are kept lubricated. Despite our bodies’ best efforts to shield the eyes from harm, there are a number of common eye infections that can result from introducing potential pathogens into the eyes. <h2>Conjunctivitis</h2> The outer-most layer of the eye, the sclera, bears the brunt of exposure and to help protect it, it is lined by a thin moist membrane called the <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24329-conjunctiva">conjunctiva</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZ4danuJwd0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> The conjunctiva is <a href="https://innovations.bmj.com/content/9/4/253">highly vascularised</a>, which means it has lots of blood vessels. When microbes enter the eye, it is this layer that mounts an immune response causing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8328962/">blood vessels to dilate</a> in the conjunctiva. This results in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/symptoms.html">“pink eye”</a>, a common form of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, allergens or viruses and typically heals by itself. <h2>Blepharitis</h2> Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid and usually affects both sides. It can cause itchy eyes and dandruff-like flakes. It’s most commonly caused by <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/09273948.2013.870214">Staphylococcus bacteria</a>, or the <a href="https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blepharitis/background-information/causes/">dysfunction of the glands</a> of the eyelids. It can be treated by <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blepharitis/">cleaning the eyes</a> regularly. <h2>Stye</h2> A stye (also called <a href="https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/hordeolum">hordeolum</a>) is a painful infection of the upper or lower eyelid. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5370090/">Internal styes</a> are caused by infection of an oil-producing gland inside the eyelid, whereas <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28723014/">external styes</a> develop at the base of the eyelash because of an infection of the hair follicle. Both are caused by bacteria, typically <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/1874715">the S aureus form of the Staphylococcus species</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/INKrGOdy824?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Styes can be treated by holding a clean flannel soaked in warm water against the affected eye for five to ten minutes, three or four times a day. Do not try to burst styes – this could spread the infection. <h2>Keratitis</h2> Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye that light passes through. The cornea is part of the eye’s main barrier against dirt, germs, and disease. Severe keratitis can cause ulcers, damage to the eye and even blindness. The most common type is bacterial keratitis; however, it can also be caused by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7998329/">amoeba</a>, which can migrate to other parts of the body – including the brain – and cause infection and <a href="https://theconversation.com/nasal-rinsing-why-flushing-the-nasal-passages-with-tap-water-to-tackle-hay-fever-could-be-fatal-225811">even death</a>. Noninfectious keratitis is most commonly caused by wearing contact lenses for too long, especially while sleeping. This can cause scratches, dryness and soreness of the cornea, which leads to inflammation. <h2>Uveitis</h2> <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/uveitis/">Uveitis</a> is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye. Although relatively rare, it is a serious condition and usually results from viral infections such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8501150/">herpes simplex</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29023181/">herpes zoster</a> or <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-09126-6_40">trauma</a>. Depending on where the inflammation is in the eye, the symptoms can be anything from redness, pain and floaters to blurred vision and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1772296/">partial blindness</a>. <h2>Exogenous endophthalmitis</h2> This is a rare but serious infection caused by eye surgery complications, penetrating ocular trauma (being stabbed in the eye with a sharp object) or foreign bodies in the eye. Foreign bodies can be anything from dirt and dust to small projectiles such as shards of metal from drilling, explosives or soil from farm machinery and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7286045/">many other sources</a>. <h2>Dacryocystitis</h2> Dacryocystitis is the inflammation of the nasolacrimal sac, which drains tears away from the eye into the nose. This condition can be <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8443113/">acute</a>, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/6700662">chronic</a> or <a href="https://www.jebmh.com/articles/a-study-of-congenital-dacryocystitis.pdf.pdf">acquired at birth</a>. Most cases are caused by <a href="https://bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12886-020-01792-4">Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus</a> bacteria. The condition mainly affects newborns and those over 40. Seventy-five per cent of cases are women and it’s most commonly found in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6039673/">white adults</a>. It can lead to the stagnation of tears, creating a breeding ground for microbes. <h2>Careful with contacts</h2> Proper eye hygiene reduces the risk of all these conditions – and this is even more important for contact lens wearers. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uENHAntJOIA?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Appropriate hygienic cleaning of lenses is paramount. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30789440/">Non-sterile water</a>, <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care">spit</a> and other fluids can transfer <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/bacteria-living-your-contact-lens-solution">potentially dangerous</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482476/">microbes</a> into the eye – a warm, moist environment that makes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria – leading to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9542356/">localised infection</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3972779/">blindness</a> or progress to a more serious <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9835757/">systemic infection or death</a>. Any persistent and painful redness or swelling of eyes should be checked by a registered health professional.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/227252/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-taylor-283950">Adam Taylor</a>, Professor and Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176">Lancaster University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/eye-infections-might-seem-like-a-minor-complaint-but-in-some-cases-they-can-cause-blindness-and-even-death-227252">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Paw-sitive update on missing blind dog

Bowie, the beloved blind Australian Shepherd that stole the hearts of many, has proven that anything is paw-sible after he was found safe and sound. The pup who went missing on Wednesday after he was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/urgent-calls-for-help-after-blind-dog-stolen-from-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stolen in broad daylight</a>, is set to be reunited with his fur-ever family, the Durmans, after the two-day search came to a fruitful end. Despite their house being trashed and their car being stolen when they returned home from a ski trip, once they found out Bowie was missing the pup was their main concern. “Once we realised Bowie was gone, the cars and everything was immaterial to that,” dad Luke Durman said on Wednesday. “The focus was, we just wanted Bowie back.” Bowie was found near the small NSW town of Macksville on Friday, after initial reports that the dog was spotted in nearby Utungun, according to the NSW police. “A short time later, an officer attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a grey SUV on Taylors Arm Road, Congarinni,” police said in a statement. A 48-year-old man, who barked up the wrong tree, was arrested in Northern NSW over the theft of the Durman family’s dog, and is assisting police with their inquiries at Macksville Police station. Image: 7News

Family & Pets

Urgent calls for help after blind dog stolen from home

A desperate search is underway after a family’s beloved blind dog was stolen from their Gold Coast home in broad daylight. Police are calling for public assistance to help find Bowie, the beautiful Australian shepherd with black, white and gold fur, and blue eyes. They believe that the dog was stolen after a group of people broke into the family’s home along Regatta Parade in Southport some time between 10am and 1.15pm on Wednesday. Police also report that a few other things were stolen including the resident’s grey 2022 Hyundai Tucson station wagon with the Queensland plate number 021FO8. Anyone with information is urged to call the police. Images: Queensland Police Service

Family & Pets

5 reasons you should go on a blind date

Does the thought of going on a blind date make you cringe? It’s a common reaction but blind dates aren’t like the disaster stories shown in movies and, contrary to popular opinion, can lead to long-term relationships. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons to give blind dating a go. 1. Broaden your social circle Once you reach your 60s and beyond it’s common for your social circle to shrink and it can be harder to make new friends and meet new people. Blind dates are a great way to meet a variety of people who you might not have ever gotten a chance to meet before. If you hit it off, that’s great; but if not, there’s no damage done. You might even make a new friend. 2. Friends and family know your taste Sometimes our friends and family know us better than we know ourselves. And at the very least, you know they’re not going to set you up with someone horrible. 3. Your confidence will grow If you’ve only recently gotten back into dating, going on a few dates can help boost your confidence and encourage you to get back into the dating arena. When you open yourself to people, even if it’s just for a coffee date, the process will become much easier. 4. You might meet the right person There are so many horror stories out there in the dating world that you don’t often hear about the success stories. Although you shouldn’t expect to find “the one” on every blind date, the important thing is you’re taking chances and when you take chances anything is possible! 5. If nothing else, you have a great story If your blind date doesn’t work out, there’s no harm done. As it’s a blind date, you never have to see your date again. And if it does end up being a disaster, chalk it up to an experience and a funny story to share. Image: Getty

Relationships

"Bionic Nanna" can see again in a UK-first

An 88-year-old woman has had her vision partially restored in the UK’s first-ever bionic eye transplant. The UK mother-of-seven has been nicknamed “bionic Nana” by her eight grandchildren after she was the first patient to receive a tiny microchip implanted into her pupil. After suffering from geographic atrophy, a common form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that causes a blind spot to develop in the middle of the eye, she has received the implant through a Europe-wide clinical trial. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/IMG_9970.jpg" alt="" width="501" height="334" /> Image: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (YouTube) The tiny microchip is connected to a computer via a pair of glasses containing a video camera. The computer tells the glasses to focus on particular parts of her surroundings, and an image of it is then projected onto the microchip and converted into an electrical signal that can be processed by her brain. Prior to the implant, she said the condition prevented her from doing many of the things she loved. “Losing the sight in my left eye through dry AMD has stopped me from doing the things I love, like gardening, playing indoor bowls and painting with watercolours,” she said in a <a href="https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/news/revolutionary-bionic-chip-inserted-moorfields-patient-s-blind-eye" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> from Moorfield Eye Hospital. Though the transplant was a resounding success, the woman will still need to undergo a year of testing and check-ups to ensure no issues arise. “I am thrilled to be the first to have this implant, excited at the prospect of enjoying my hobbies again and I truly hope that many others will benefit from this too,” she said. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Id-sdUgQsBc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Image: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (YouTube)

Caring

P-plater who killed blind man and his guide dog jailed

A P-plater who caused the death of a man and his guide dog in 2019 has been sentenced to jail. 24-year-old Billy-Jo Salter was sentenced to three years and nine months’ jail after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and destruction of evidence. Salter was 21-years-old when he caused the death of 62-year-old Raymond Meadows and his guide dog Gerry while he was driving on the Calder Highway at Wedderburn in northwestern Victoria on June 2, 2019. The court heard that it was dark but Mr Meadows was wearing a high-vis vest and a backpack with flashing lights as he and his dog walked along the road’s shoulder, heading to the gym. Gerry died almost immediately after being hit by Salter’s car, while Mr Meadows died en route to the hospital. Salter stopped at the scene and was not found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Salter removed the memory card from his dashcam at the scene, and later had his friend destroy it. For several months following the crash, he told police that Mr Meadows and his dog had been walking on the road, but analysis of the scene proved they had been on the shoulder. Investigations also revealed that Salter had not applied the brakes or stirred the car in the five seconds before the crash, using cruise control to travel at 94km/h. Judge Rosemary Carlin said Salter's actions were indicative of "a total abdication" of his responsibility as a driver. "To drive for five seconds at that speed in the dark without exerting any control at all over your car and without keeping a proper lookout for whatever reason is highly irresponsible and risky behaviour," she said. The judge also said his lies about what had happened and destruction of the dashcam footage had deprived Mr Meadows’ family of closure. She described the destruction of the footage as “serious, planned offending” and said, "you have refused to tell the truth about what happened and you destroyed the only evidence.” The court heard that Salter had suffered an abusive childhood, was experiencing health problems, and lived with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He was sentenced to a non-parole period of two years and three months. Image: 9 News

Legal

Bride's touching gesture for blind husband on wedding day

Kelly Ann Ferraro surprised her husband, Paralympian, musician, motivational speaker and blind man Anthony S Ferraro, by wearing a tactile wedding dress on their big day. "I've also said she's my eyes in this world, but for her to have a dress custom made so I could feel and touch it meant the world to me," Anthony Ferraro told USA TODAY. "I could feel her. I could feel she looked beautiful." Kelly Ann was continuing a tradition she started on the couple’s first date in 2018, when she wore a velvet dress so he could “feel how she looked”. Her wedding dress was embedded with woven cotton flowers and lace, and in a Tiktok video shared by Anthony, he sounded overjoyed that he was able to “feel how beautiful she was” on their wedding day. <blockquote style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7018660125703556357"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@asfvision" target="_blank" title="@asfvision">@asfvision</a> 🤍🎥I married my camera person @turmericteatime <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/blind" target="_blank" title="blind">#blind</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wedding" target="_blank" title="wedding">#wedding</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/relationshipgoals" target="_blank" title="relationshipgoals">#relationshipgoals</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lucky" target="_blank" title="lucky">#lucky</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pov" target="_blank" title="pov">#pov</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/A-Thousand-Years-224206288400887808" target="_blank" title="♬ A Thousand Years - Christina Perri">♬ A Thousand Years - Christina Perri</a></blockquote> The couple’s first date took place at the New York premiere of Anthony’s documentary, ‘A Shot in the Dark’, which chronicles his journey as a blind wrestler and athlete. After meeting Anthony, Kelly Ann researched blindness, including blindness experienced by those who can perceive some light, like Anthony. She learned to place pillows and bubble wrap around sharp objects in their shared apartment, and after learning that he loved the feeling of velvet and soft fabrics, a tactile wedding dress seemed like an obvious choice. Kelly Ann collaborated with Loulette Bride to create a dress that featured woven cotton flowers, a velvet waistband, and soft, gentle fabris like chiffon and lace. Speaking to USA Today, Kelly Ann said, "The whole time at the aisle I was whispering to him 'touch my dress, touch my dress,' and it made me so happy to know he could feel and enjoy my dress as much as I did.” Kelly Ann and Anthony’s mother planned the whole wedding with Anthony’s comfort in mind. Prior to the ceremony, Kelly Ann wrote Anthony a letter in braille. They were married on a beachfront property in Maine, and the wedding was held during the day since Anthony can perceive shadows and light. The reception was held in a tent, and the poles were wrapped in bubble wrap disguised with decorations so Anthony could safely move around. "The thoughtfulness and work behind making our wedding accessible for me meant everything. She's truly my best friend and like I said, 'my eyes in the world,'" Anthony said. Describing Kelly Ann as his “partner in crime”, Anthony says in the viral video of their wedding day, “I can’t wait to spend so much more time together and create so many more beautiful memories on our adventures in life.” "Our story sheds a lot of light on just joy and unity, even for those with disabilities like me who didn't think love was possible," Anthony said. "The world needs more light and I hope our story shows some of that." Image: Anthony S. Ferraro/Tiktok

Beauty & Style

Blind man's heartwarming reunion with his dog

A man from Melbourne was nine years old when he suffered a brain tumour prompting him to undergo several surgeries to remove it. When he turned 21, the damage of the surgeries changed his life forever, permanently removing his eyesight. Since then, Mr Toogood has gotten through life with the help of his family, but most of all his loving sister Lisa who has guided him through the darkness. When his sister isn't around, Mr Toogood relies on his best friend, a cavoodle named Sam who keeps him company with unconditional love. "So, Matt and Sam have spent the last five years together, he doesn't leave Matt's side whenever he's home, he follows him around, inside, outside, so yeah, they're the best companions to each other," Lisa told A Current Affair. Mr Toogood and Sam were separated for months after Mr Toogood broke his ankle and was hospitalised to undergo rehabilitation. During his time in hospital, Sam was given to another family to be looked after. But, once Mr Toogood went home after hospital, the new owners of Sam refused to give him back. "I love my dog, and I'd love him to come back," Mr Toogood said. Lisa approached the family to ask for Sam back but they threatened legal action telling her, "we could drag this out, it's going to cost whoever a fortune, I know all the court systems are backed up for six to 12 months because of COVID." Lisa had to regretfully break the news to Mr Toogood, telling him Sam wouldn't be able to come home because the family denied he was the rightful owner, despite Sam's microchip being registered in his name. "To have him ring me at night, every day and say 'I miss my dog, where is he? Why would someone do this to me? He was always by my side?' It's just not fair, and it's really hard," Lisa said. Mr Toogood and Lisa decided to ask Anne-Marie's help, a pet detective and founder of Arthur & Co, who tracked Sam down and negotiated with the family for his release. Richard, who is a private investigator and worked for Anne-Marie, went inside the family's house to retrieve Sam. After 15 minutes of negotiation, Richard emerged from the house holding Sam, ready to give him back to Mr Toogood. "My heart is bursting with happiness," Lisa said after seeing Sam in Richard's arms. Richard and Lisa took Sam to the local vet who gave him the all clear and double checked his microchip, which confirmed Mr Toogood as his owner. As Mr Toogood sat on his couch in Melbourne, Richard walked in with Sam in his arms and dropped the delighted dog onto his lap. "Are you going to sleep better tonight, now?" Lisa asked Mr Toogood. "Yes," Mr Toogood replied as Sam jumped up and licked his nose.

Family & Pets

Having a blind mind’s eye: What is aphantasia?

Try imagining a scene at the beach. For some people, the experience will be intensely visual and feel like they are looking at a photo, others might see it hazily or missing some of the colours. For an even smaller group, they will think of the beach scene more in concepts. They know what a beach looks like but can’t actually see one in their mind’s eye. This condition, called aphantasia, affects between one and five percent of the population though many don’t realise they have it until they share their experiences with someone without the condition or encounter it online. While this leads to a lot of self-diagnosis, researchers are looking for more objective diagnostic tools. Researchers at Macquarie University have experimented with identifying new methods of diagnosis. In one experiment, the researchers attached electrodes to people’s skin to measure how much they sweat while imagining scary scenarios. The results showed that people with aphantasia didn’t sweat in the same way as people who could see images in their mind’s eye, but they did when shown actual scary images. All in our heads Though the condition has technically been known since the 1800s, a history of imagery research as a low-priority field meant the condition was only named in 2015 when neurologist Professor Adam Zeman and colleagues coined the term - ‘a’ meaning none, and ‘phantasia’ meaning imagery. Though historical research surrounding survivors of strokes and traumatic brain injuries had found they had reported losing the ability to visualise images, the advent of neuroimaging fast-tracked research in the area. Neuroimaging includes commonly known techniques such as MRIs and CT scans, and this family of techniques showed that specific visual regions of the brain are activated when we imagine things. For example, if you were shown a picture of a tree, a pattern of activation would occur in these visual regions. When you go to imagine that tree later, your brain attempts to recreate that neural pattern - meaning that you reactivate the neurons in a similar way to how they were activated when you first saw the tree. Why do we visualise things? Though the reason isn’t fully clear, being able to visualise things can help us remember things from the past and imagine future scenarios to make decisions. People with aphantasia aren’t that disadvantaged though, instead finding other ways to help them remember things and plan for the future.

Mind

Blind grandad brutally bashed by teens

Horrifying footage has captured the moment a partially blind grandad was set upon by a group of teen gang members in a Melbourne Park. The 63-year-old was walking near Pelister Place in Sunshine West when the young boys dragged him onto the oval and repeatedly kicked and stomped the man before stealing his phone and shoes. The sickening attack occurred at around 1.50pm. “I feel sick when I see that type of offending,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said. “Just a vicious attack on a person that’s going about their business.” Three other people were attacked that day, Nine News reported. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840330/mick-fuller-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/cc799337089a491f92e9bf3f5440dc81" /> This included a university student who was punched in the face and had his laptop stolen. Police said all of the victims were vulnerable as they were targeted in a public place while waiting for public transport. Four people, with two of them being juveniles, were arrested over attacks. A 16-year-old boy was convicted of assault but hit with a youth attendance order, meaning he will spend no time behind bars. Another 16-year-old boy was sentenced to six months in jail but with time served was released in January. Ramzy Mohammedali, 20, was sentenced to eight months, while 18-year-old Amanniwal Nyieker – pictured in the video wearing a white hood and white trackpants – was jailed for two years. Victims of Crime Commissioner Fiona McCormack told Nine News that the boy’s sentences were a slap in the face to the victims. “I think they feel really betrayed and I think it would impact on their sense of safety,” she said. “Such serious violent crimes … that needs to be taken really seriously by the system.”

Legal

Bride blinded by her own wedding flowers

After picking wildflowers from her Nebraska, US, property for her upcoming wedding day, Christine Jo Miller had a reaction that sent her entire Big Day spinning into chaos. In a series of TikTok videos, Christine explained how those wildflowers caused a violent poisonous reaction on her wedding day. She thought it would be romantic to use the beautiful flowers, so in the days leading up to the wedding she picked enough to fill an entire truck – completely unware of how poisonous that type of Snow-on-the-mountain wildflower can be. The night before the wedding, the bride and her girlfriends spent the evening arranging the wildflowers with white roses and baby’s breath. And when Christine woke up on the wedding day, she found her face covered in a dreadful rash caused by the sap residue. Posting a photo of herself lying on the floor, she wrote: “I started feeling sick and feverish from the pain. So I did the cucumber trick and slept while I got my hair done.” But while she’d covered her eyes in slices of cucumber, Christine was horrified when she realised she’d lost her vision because her face was so swollen. After being rushed to the nearest emergency room, matters only got worse for Christine as it was Labour Day weekend and the ER wasn’t open. Despite receiving no treatment for the allergic reaction, Christine was determined to go ahead and walk down the aisle. “I wasn’t dying,” she wrote, “So I thought I just needed to suck it up. Tried to do make-up – was in too much pain so I ended up sleeping until my mum said it was time to put my dress on.” Once the vows were complete, Christine was immediately taken to hospital and given eye drops, pain medication and a steroid shot. Later at the reception, Christine admitted: “We didn’t want to do a first dance because I didn’t want to be the centre of attention out of embarrassment.” When a guest tried to get her to dance, Christine screamed in pain and said she spent most of the rest of the day under a table to avoid any attention. A week later after the swelling went down, the photographer arranged a surprise wedding reception for the couple where they were able to get the shots they wanted – and finally have that all-important dance. Images: @christinejomiller/TikTok

Relationships

“No dogs”: Bus company apologises after blind woman told she can’t ride with guide dog

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Louise Pearson’s usual trip to work turned into an hour-long standoff as a bus driver refused to let her get on a bus with her guide dog, Arthur. Pearson said to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://10daily.com.au/shows/10-news-first/melbourne/a200218hdatv/bus-company-apologises-after-blind-woman-told-she-cant-ride-with-guide-dog-20200218" target="_blank">10 Daily</a> that she flagged down the bus and the driver said, “no dogs”. She then tried to explain that she had been catching the same bus route for four years and said that Arthur needed to come with her for the journey. "This is Melbourne, Australia, and I always think that we are at the forefront ... that we've got around these issues," she said of the incident. "I didn’t get angry at all with him this morning or say anything that was in any way rude to him, but I just wasn't going to let the point go because otherwise, people don’t learn." Another passenger tried to sway the driver by saying that they see Pearson on the same route every day. "He was sort of moving up and down the bus saying, 'no dogs, you can't have dogs on this bus'," Pearson said. After the hour-long stand off, police officers in Victoria were called to the scene and offered Pearson a ride in their car. However, she refused and was eventually allowed to continue on her bus trip. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Louise says she feels frustrated about being denied entry to a Dysons bus this morning, with her guide dog Arthur. She said more education is needed about ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/GuideDogsVIC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GuideDogsVIC</a>⁩ laws <a href="https://t.co/Mr70Zj9AT2">pic.twitter.com/Mr70Zj9AT2</a> — Yasmin Paton (@yaspaton) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaspaton/status/1229568350667194368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2020</a></blockquote> Victoria’s head of transport services Jeroen Weimar told reporters that he was “distressed and disappointed” by the incident. "Everybody who uses a guide dog is entitled to travel on our public transport system, whether it be a bus, train or tram," Weimar told reporters. "This is a reminder of how important it is that we continue to educate not only drivers but everyone in society about the importance of guide dogs and also the importance of enabling everybody to live freely and independently." Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive Karen Hayes says that the organisation’s main role is to ensure there is a “voice at the table” for accessible transport for all members in the community. "We need to keep the message out there that we need to continue to educate the community about the fact guide dogs aren't pets," Hayes said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today our CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/karenlhayes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KarenLHayes</a> fronted the media to address an incident where a Guide Dog handler was refused access to a bus. We are supporting our client through this and acknowledge the need for continued public education about Guide Dog access. Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/ws4edPNKoS">https://t.co/ws4edPNKoS</a> <a href="https://t.co/8eAnVxKfJc">pic.twitter.com/8eAnVxKfJc</a> — Guide Dogs Victoria (@GuideDogsVIC) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuideDogsVIC/status/1229650589199556609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2020</a></blockquote> "They are working guide dogs to provide freedom and independence to somebody who has blindness or low vision." Bus company Dysons said that the driver misunderstood the rules for assistance animals on public transport and confirmed that the driver had been stood down as investigations continue. "We would like to apologise to the passenger for any distress caused by this morning's incident," it said in a statement. "To ensure this doesn't happen again, we will engage with Guide Dogs Victoria and other applicable organisations to see what training opportunities are available to our company." </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

Blind woman “stalked” by Woolworths robot in supermarket

A blind woman has lashed out at Woolworths over a “silly” robot who “stalked” her while she was shopping with her guide dog at a Melbourne supermarket. On Tuesday, Casey Hyde took her guide dog Bridget through a Woolworths store when she was confronted by a tall, white robot. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Ms Hyde, who has 10 per cent vision, said the robot kept following her down the aisle as it yelled the word “obstruction”. “It’s designed to find things blocking the aisle and the robot thought Bridget was an obstruction,” she said. “It scared the dog and also distracted her.” She said the robot followed her closely as she walked around the supermarket and believes that because Bridget is black and weighs about 39 kg she may have been mistaken for a bin. “It was confronting for me – the robot wasn’t helping me feel comfortable,” Ms Hyde said. She claimed that a stranger helped her complete her shopping because “she could not see if the robot was coming or not”. The robot, which is called “Greggles” has not been popular amongst shoppers, one of them being Ms Hyde. <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2555330141458134&set=p.2555330141458134&type=3" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> Modern technology might stop me from working. This robot in Woolworths checks on shelves for empty low... Posted by <a href="#">Bridget Hyde</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2555330141458134&set=p.2555330141458134&type=3">Monday, January 20, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> “This issue should not ever come up,” she said. “It shows a bit of ignorance towards people with disabilities – how are people in wheelchairs or with prams supposed to get through the aisle with this robot?” She added that she’s “really concerned” is the “silly robots” gets rolled out to even more stores across the country, that it may make it difficult for people to do their shopping. “I just want people to be able to enjoy their shopping instead of worrying about being stalked by a penis-shaped robot,” said Ms Hyde. A Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia that they want all customers “to feel welcome” and regret that, on this occasion it “wasn’t the case”. The spokesperson revealed that someone has gotten in touch with Ms Hyde and “will look into details with the robot manufacturer as a priority”. “The safety robot is part of a trial designed to improve customer safety and experience in the store, and we’re closely monitoring customer feedback on it,” they said. “These robots operate in hundreds of stores across the world and have been subject to extensive safety testing by the manufacturer. They have sensors built in and are programmed to stop or move away from any fixed or moving objects.”

News

Do blind people have better hearing?

The sensation of sound occurs when the vibrations from sounds enter our ear and cause little hairlike structures – called hair cells – within our inner ear to move back and forth. The hair cells transform this movement into an electrical signal that the brain can use. How well a person can hear largely depends on how intact these hair cells are. Once lost, they don’t grow back – and this is no different for blind people. So blind people can’t physically hear better than others. Yet blind people often outperform sighted people in hearing tasks such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595515300174">locating the source of sounds</a>. The reason for this emerges when we look beyond the sensory organs, at what is happening with the brain, and how the sensory information is processed by it. Perception occurs when the brain interprets signals that our sensory organs provide, and different parts of the brain respond to the information arriving from different sensory organs. There are areas that process visual information (the visual cortex) and areas that process sound information (the auditory cortex). But when a sense like vision is lost, the brain does something remarkable: it <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898172/">reorganises the functions of these brain areas</a>. In blind people, the visual cortex gets a bit “bored” without visual input and starts to “rewire” itself, becoming more responsive to information from the other remaining senses. So blind people may have lost their vision, but this leaves a larger brain capacity for processing the information from other senses. The extent of reorganisation in the brain depends on when someone loses their sight. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898172/">brain can reorganise itself at any point in life</a>, including adulthood, but during childhood the brain is more able to adapt to change. This is because during childhood the brain is still developing and the new organisation of the brain does not have to compete with an existing one. As a result, people who have been blind from a very early age show a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898172/">much greater level of reorganisation in the brain</a>. People who become blind early in life tend to outperform sighted people, as well as those who became blind later in life, in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/430309a">hearing</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982203009849">touch</a> perceptual tasks. Echolocation The reorganisation in the brain also means that blind people are sometimes able to learn how to use their remaining senses in interesting ways. For example, some blind people learn to sense the location and size of objects around them using <a href="https://community.dur.ac.uk/lore.thaler/thaler_goodale_echo_review2016.pdf">echolocation</a>. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2IKT2akh0Ng?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> By producing clicks with their mouths and listening for the echoes, blind people can locate objects in their surroundings. This ability is tightly linked with the <a href="https://community.dur.ac.uk/lore.thaler/thaler_goodale_echo_review2016.pdf">brain activity in the visual cortex</a>. In fact, the visual cortex in blind echolocators responds to sound information in almost the same way as it does to visual information in the sighted. In other words, in blind echolocators, hearing has replaced vision in the brain to a very large extent. But not every blind person is automatically an expert echolocator. Whether a blind person is able to develop a skill like echolocation depends on the time spent learning this task – <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595514000185">even sighted people can learn this skill with enough training</a>, but blind people will probably benefit from their reorganised brain being more tuned towards the remaining senses. Blind people will also rely more on their remaining senses to do everyday tasks, which means that they train their remaining senses on a daily basis. The reorganised brain together with the greater experience in using their remaining senses are believed to be important factors in blind people having an edge over sighted people in hearing and touch.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102282/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/loes-van-dam-543699">Loes van Dam</a>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-blind-people-have-better-hearing-102282">original article</a>.

Body

How guide dogs know where their owners want them to go

How do guide dogs know where their owners want to go? – Mia, age 6. Mia, thank you for your question. I know a bit about this topic because I have some experience training and using an assistance dog myself. Also, as part of my job teaching at a university, I’m working with a number of students doing research projects on assistance dogs. The answer to your great question is actually quite simple. Guide dogs, which are assistance dogs for people who are blind or vision impaired, know where to go because they practise. Practice makes perfect – just like how you might learn to walk from home to school, or how adults know how to drive to different places without getting lost. As part of their training a guide dog will practise getting around to some of the most common places the person they will guide needs to go. This may include the shops near their home, or from their home to the bus stop. So, in simple terms, guide dogs only know how to get to and from familiar places they have practised the routes for. What most people don’t realise, though, is the person the dog is guiding still needs to know where they are going too. Identifying obstacles There is a lot of training a guide dog will do before they are taught familiar places. This is because making sure they guide a person safely is much more than knowing where to go. Say you are walking to school and the branch of a tree has fallen across the path you normally walk on. If that branch was small you might just step over it. If it is big you might go around it or even cross to the other side of the road. Since a blind person may not be able to see the branch, it’s up to their guide dog to let them know it is there. How they do this will depend on how big the branch is. If it is small the dog may help safely guide the person around it. If it is large and they can’t get around easily, they will block the person so they know there is something in the way. It is then up to the person to work with their dog to help them safely find a way past the branch. This means a big part of being a guide dog is letting the person they are guiding know when there is an obstacle in their way. To a blind person an obstacle can include things like the step down off the path onto the road, or a step up into a shop. These are things you probably don’t even think of as an obstacle when walking. Working as a team A lot of people may think a guide dog tells a person when they can cross a road. But this is not actually true. The dog will block the person from stepping onto the road to let them then know they have reached the end of the path. It is then up to the person to listen to their surrounds and decide if it is safe to cross the road. It is the person who tells the dog it is safe to cross the road – not the other way around. Hello, curious kids! Have you got a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/125567/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carmel-nottle-422695">Carmel Nottle</a>, Lecturer - Human Movement / Clinical Exercise Physiology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-do-guide-dogs-know-where-their-owners-want-to-go-125567">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

Mother with blind child denied parking permit, receives abusive windscreen notes from angry parents

The mother of a blind girl in Townsville, Queensland says that she will continue to park in disabled spots despite being denied a permit and being yelled at by other parents. Taylor Blennerhassett’s six-year-old daughter Mackenna Murray is blind due to septo-optic dysplasia, which means that she has to use a cane to get around. Depsite her daughter’s severe condition, Taylor was denied a permit to use disabled parking spots in Queensland. Taylor told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7578639/Townsville-mother-receives-abusive-notes-car-parking-disabled-spot-blind-daughter.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail Australia</a> that when picking her daughter up from school, she has been subjected to abuse in the form of notes from other parents left on her windscreen. “Mackenna is completely blind but we are unable to get a parking permit, so I arranged with the school to get permission to park in the disabled spots,” she explained. “I get messages that I'm not supposed to park there, it's rude of me to park there and I don't deserve to park there. “I've had people say I'm lazy and I'm taking spots away from families that actually need them.” Taylor said that as she often picks up Mackenna from school, she is subjected to at least one letter a week from angry parents. “It was quite hurtful considering no one left names or numbers for me to explain myself or the situation,” she said. “There's not much I can do about it as all I've been handed is a piece of paper.” As Taylor has worked out a solution with Mackenna’s school, the school ended up giving Taylor a laminated sign saying that she had formal permission to park in the disabled spots. Taylor said it was a “kick in the guts” when they were denied an official disability pass from the state, as she often fears that Mackenna could walk into traffic if parked in a spot far away. “It is absolute bull***, I have to tell her when there's a step, I have to tell her when there's a ditch or any obstacle in her way, if I don't do that she'll trip and hurt herself,” she said. “I'm trying to get awareness out there that vision impaired people need the parking even for the safety side of things.” Due to the backlash of being denied a disability permit, a Transport and Main Roads Minister told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7578639/Townsville-mother-receives-abusive-notes-car-parking-disabled-spot-blind-daughter.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a> that they’re looking into it. “Following community feedback, Transport and Main Roads is currently assessing the feasibility of expanding the Australian Disability Parking Permit Scheme criteria to include people with vision impairment. “We commissioned an independent consultant to undertake the review, which has involved consultation with community, government and disability sector stakeholders.” Photo credit: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157195952372489&set=a.10150744009212489&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Taylor Blennerhassett Facebook</a>

Travel Trouble

Don’t lose sight of what’s important – get your eyes examined

As life moves on, it is important to sustain quality of life so that you don’t fall behind. While macular degeneration may not sound like something that every mature Australian may have to deal with, the truth is that this eye disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. Many of us consider vision loss to be a normal part of the ageing process, however an eye condition known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can cause blindness if left unchecked This condition causes damage to the macula, a small spot located near the centre of the retina that you are using in order to read this article. It is progressive and painless, leading to blurred sight and even black spots in your central vision. Approximately one in seven Australians over 50 show symptoms of this disease and the impact on one’s independence and quality of life can have a much wider “ripple effect” on family, friends and carers. But the good news is, early detection can help save your sight. The earlier you visit the optometrist for an eye examination, the earlier you can begin treatment to preserve your vision. Preserving your macula vision is imperative to continue doing the things that you love – reading, recognising loved ones, driving, watching television and other activities that require detailed central vision. There are two forms of late AMD: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is caused by the gradual loss of cells in your macula, leading to the gradual loss of central vision. Whereas dry AMD tends to progress over many years or decades, wet AMD can appear suddenly, such as overnight. Wet macular degeneration is the most severe form of the disease that causes the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina, leading to severe vision loss. You can have early signs of AMD without even knowing – which is why it is vital not to lose sight of what’s important and get yourself an eye examination. While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are treatments available to stabilise and maintain the best vision for as long as possible. Don’t assume changes to your vision are simply an everyday part of the ageing process; instead, seek out your local optometrist and learn more about your eye health. Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd are working together on the common goal to raise awareness of age-related macular degeneration in the community. <a rel="noopener" href="https://seewhatsnext.com.au/" target="_blank">See What’s Next</a> is an awareness campaign developed by Novartis. By supporting this campaign MDFA is not endorsing any specific treatment or therapy. This article is sponsored.

Caring

"Beautiful": Blind singer moves Australia's Got Talent judges to tears

A blind singer has left Australia’s Got Talent judges in tears with his audition performance. A new promo for the competition shows a sneak peek of singer and pianist Paul, who appeared before judges Nicole Scherzinger, Manu Feildel, Shane Jacobson and Lucy Durack. <iframe src="//players.brightcove.net/761709621001/SJHU4xAQe_default/index.html?videoId=6057661355001" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe> “Music has given me the confidence and the freedom to truly be myself,” Paul told the show. “I'm blind. Mum does all the running around and I just thank and love her for that.” Paul’s mother, who joined him for the day, told him ahead of his audition, “You may not have your vision, but you’ve got everything else. And you’re using it. You know I’m proud.” His performance, which was left out of the clip, led the four judges to a standing ovation. “I’m crying my face off right now!” Scherzinger told Paul. “I mean Australia’s got talent you guys. You’re the reason why I flew here.” My Kitchen Rules star Feildel also gave Paul praises. “One word just coming out of my mouth is just ‘beautiful’. It’s just pure and beautiful.” Durack said: “That was magic. You sing with such honesty and heart.” At the end of his audition, Paul was given a fast-track pass to the semifinals. This week, the talent show also made headlines after a <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/bachelor-apollo-jackson-agt-audition-stunt-backfires-061839609.html" target="_blank">promo video</a> featuring Bachelor in Paradise star Apollo Jackson was released. In the clip, Jackson could be seen setting himself on fire to the judges’ shock.

Ita Buttrose’s important message for people with this disease

Ita Buttrose, the new Chair of the ABC, has urged those with a history of macular disease to get regularly checked for the degenerative eye condition. She wants all Australians to know that if a family member has macular disease, which is also the nation’s leading cause of blindness and vision loss, there is a whopping 50 per cent chance a member of the same family will contract the disease. As the patron of the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia, 77-year-old Buttrose has been vigilant in raising awareness about the disease. “We are trying very hard to get the message across that if you have a family member with macular disease, you have to be very vigilant and you have to have your eyes checked on a regular basis — every two years — and you have to make sure the specialist or the optician checks your macular,” Buttrose said to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/ita-buttrose-urging-families-with-history-of-macular-disease-to-get-their-eyes-checked/news-story/8f353ef02d703281bf7fdc5da1b2d0aa" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a>. Buttrose has been personally impacted by the disease, as her beloved father Charles contracted the disease in his 70s and never recovered his eyesight before his passing in 1999. “There were seven siblings in dad’s family and of the seven, four got macular degeneration, so you can see how hereditary it is,” she said. “When dad was diagnosed, there was no Macular Disease Foundation, so I contacted the Royal Blind Society and I got every helpful device that I could find — things for phones, things that could make prints larger — whatever might help him. “His great joy in life was reading the newspapers every morning and suddenly he couldn’t because you lose your central vision — your macular is what provides your central vision. It’s just behind the retina so it’s what enables you to read, to do fine needlework, distinguish faces, drive … All these sorts of things.” She also explains that 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 50 display some sign of macular degeneration. Her father’s brother, Gerald, has been luckier than his older sibling, but has also had over 100 injections to save his eye and his vision. “My Uncle Gerald — he’s 96 in August — his vision was saved because we now have injections for wet macular. There are two types of macular, wet and dry — there is no treatment for dry. He managed to drive until he was 93, he’s given it up now, but he still reads, he still writes family histories.” Due to Buttrose’s family history, she remains ever vigilant. “I’m very vigilant. I get my macular checked every year because I know I am at risk because of the family history. The ophthalmologist always says, “Oh, your macular is pristine”, and it’s good, thank you.” An eye examination once a year and a macular check every two years is a standard recommendation for those over 50 with a family history of the disease.

Caring

Buying Blind: Why this Melbourne family of 5 nearly broke the experts

Last night’s episode of Nine’s Buying Blind saw a family of five move back to Melbourne after living in their dream home in Brisbane. Purchasing a home for Mal and Kristen, who have three kids together, quickly turned into a nightmare for the experts because of the surging Melbourne market. The family returned to Victoria after Mal received a job offer and so they could be closer to their extended families. However, finding a home that was big enough for the family, within their budget of $1.45 million and didn’t require too much work proved to be a problematic task. The couple were determined to make the next move their last, and relied on the Buying Blind experts to choose the perfect home for their family. “The Melbourne property market has exploded in the last seven years,” said buyer’s agent Rich Harvey. “They’ve got a budget of $1.45 million, which is a decent budget, but you'd be surprised at how little their money can buy in Melbourne.” Shaynna replied: “Rich, I think this could be your hardest one yet.” The search in Melbourne’s north east for a home with four bedrooms, two living rooms and a feature kitchen within their budget almost drover Rich to breaking point. Unfortunately, he missed his deadline, and the family had to move back with Kristen’s mum, Jan, when their lease ended. Seven people squeezed into one property for four months while the search continued. The stress prompted Shaynna to give some stern words to Rich about his search, telling him: “It’s your job, Rich, sorry – get over it.” Finally, Rich found a house that ticked all the boxes and was in the perfect location for the family. With 12 interested parties, Rich used his negotiation skills to get his offer of $1.335 million accepted. The team then worked to transform the “ugliest” house on the street to a modern abode, with Shaynna hiring landscapers to create a wall garden feature at the front door. <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819738/0_498x280.jpg" alt="0"/> The interior of the home was dark throughout many areas and tainted with an out-of-date carpet but it was soon transformed for the family. All the stress and work by the experts and team paid off when Kristen burst into tears during the reveal and Mal expressed his shock through laughter. “We just feel so lucky… I just know we’re going to be so happy here. Thank you for listening to us, thank you for giving us this,” Kristen said to the experts. Scroll through the gallery above to see the transformation of the home. What do you think of the renovation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Bride blinded by her own wedding flowers

“No dogs”: Bus company apologises after blind woman told she can’t ride with guide dog

Blind woman “stalked” by Woolworths robot in supermarket

Do blind people have better hearing?

How guide dogs know where their owners want them to go

Mother with blind child denied parking permit, receives abusive windscreen notes from angry parents

Don’t lose sight of what’s important – get your eyes examined

"Beautiful": Blind singer moves Australia's Got Talent judges to tears

Ita Buttrose’s important message for people with this disease

Buying Blind: Why this Melbourne family of 5 nearly broke the experts

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