Dr Glasson had a most interesting visit to the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed last month to speak to a large group of gentleman.He spoke about the health system in Queensland, their own personal health and also issues relating to aging of the eye. Dr Glasson was given the opportunity to express his views in terms of the dysfunction that exists currently within our health system, particularly between the inpatient tertiary care level as opposed to the primary care level. The integration of these two systems are critically important and the funding must be integrated if we are going to deliver the best outcomes for the patients of Queensland.

Next they had discussions about them as individuals or as a group in terms of various health issues, particularly around cancer, emphasising the importance of screening for both bowel cancer, prostate screening and for those that have smoked also lung screening. Their general health is defined by what they eat and the activity they undertake. Dr Glasson emphasised the importance that they must undertake some form of activity whether that be walking, running, swimming, playing tennis etc. where it raises their heart rate during the activity. The importance of a good diet, of removing all sugars from their diet and having a balanced diet with vegetables and fruit are also critically important.

They then had a discussion around macular degeneration and cataract, going through the treatment of both of those conditions, particularly in terms of intravitreal injections and in terms of macular degeneration and the new and modern implants that we use these days for cataract surgery. A great deal of interest was expressed as was the questions raised.