For nearly 2 decades, Dr Nishantha Wijesinghe has been restoring sight and changing lives across the Northern Territory.
As Head of Ophthalmology at Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Wijesinghe has spent the past 18 years caring for patients with a wide range of eye conditions, from cataracts to complex retinal diseases. While many people think of eye care as simply prescribing glasses, his work goes far beyond that.
One patient, however, will always stay with him.
'I operated on an Aboriginal woman from Gove who had dense cataracts in both eyes,' Dr Wijesinghe recalls.
'When her eye patch came off, the first thing she said was, "I can see my boyfriend!"'
'Everyone in the room was so happy they started dancing. It's one of those moments I'll never forget.'
Stories like this remind Dr Wijesinghe why he chose ophthalmology.
Ophthalmologist or optometrist? What's the difference?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they play different roles in caring for your eyes.
An optometrist is your primary eye care provider. They examine your eyes, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and detect common eye conditions. If a more serious eye disease or surgery is needed, they'll refer you to an ophthalmologist.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating eye diseases, performing eye surgery and managing complex conditions that threaten vision.
'Cataract surgery is the operation we perform most often,' Dr Wijesinghe says.
'But ophthalmology is much more than surgery. We also use medications, laser treatments and eye injections to manage many conditions and help preserve people's vision.'
Looking after your eyes
Dr Wijesinghe says protecting your eyesight starts with everyday habits.
A healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables, colourful fruit and vegetables, eggs, nuts and oily fish provides nutrients that support eye health.
Regular comprehensive eye examinations are also essential because many eye diseases develop without obvious symptoms.
Other ways to protect your vision include:
- wearing sunglasses that provide UV protection
- avoiding smoking
- managing health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- taking regular breaks from digital screens to reduce eye strain
- wearing protective eyewear when working in hazardous environments or playing certain sports.
Some jobs carry greater risks
Certain occupations expose people to higher risks of eye injury or long-term damage.
Workers in construction, mining, manufacturing, farming, welding, healthcare and laboratories should always wear appropriate protective eyewear to reduce the risk of injury from chemicals, dust, debris or ultraviolet light.
Even office workers who spend long hours looking at computer screens can experience digital eye strain and dry eyes.
Whether you're working outdoors, on a building site or behind a desk, taking care of your eyes today can help protect your vision for years to come.
