For more than 50 years, Kerri‑Anne Kennerley has been one of Australia’s most recognisable and loved television personalities, actress and singer — a true media icon and Logie Hall of Fame inductee.
From her first TV appearance at age 13 to her celebrated career as a host and entertainer, Kerri‑Anne — affectionately known as KAK — has captivated audiences with her humour, style, warmth and resilience. And in recent years, she’s taken on another important role: championing eye health awareness, inspired in part by her own experiences and her family history.
Keeping an Eye on Vision
Kerri‑Anne has always prioritised her health, including her vision. After previously having lens replacement surgery, she began noticing changes in her eyesight as she got older, including developing astigmatism — a common condition that can affect clarity of vision.
“I wear glasses for reading now and make sure I use them whenever I read to avoid eye strain,” she says.
But it’s her family history that has made regular eye checks truly personal.
“My mum developed Macular Degeneration and cataracts, both of which can be hereditary and are leading causes of vision loss if not detected early,” Kerri‑Anne explains. “It’s so important to have regular eye tests — not just for vision correction, but to screen for conditions that don’t show symptoms in the early stages.”
Reminder of Why Eye Health Matters
Unfortunately, the reality is that many Australians are risking their sight by skipping eye exams — even though uncorrected vision problems are Australia’s leading cause of vision loss. Experts warn that without preventive care, vision issues will only rise as the population ages.
“Eye health often isn’t prioritised the way heart health or cancer screening is,” says Specsavers Head of Optometry Ben Ashby. “But with regular checks, many causes of sight loss can be detected early and treated.”
Life After Loss: Honouring Her Husband’s Memory
For many years, Kerri‑Anne was devoted to caring for her husband, John Kennerley, after a tragic accident left him seriously injured. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 78, surrounded by family.
Kerri‑Anne has spoken openly about how deeply his loss affected her, revealing that returning to work and connecting with colleagues and audiences helped her find stability in the years since his passing.
“I thought I’d have John for a very long time — it wasn’t to be,” she reflected. “Coming into work literally saved me. The support I received was beautiful, and it helped me get through one of the toughest times of my life.”
How She Cares for Her Eyes and Her Well‑Being
Kerri‑Anne’s approach to health is grounded in consistency and positivity:
- Regular eye tests to catch changes before symptoms appear
- Wearing prescription glasses to avoid eye strain
- Wearing quality sunglasses to protect eyes and the delicate surrounding skin from UV damage
- Maintaining a balanced lifestyle with exercise, good nutrition, and moderation
As she puts it:
“Beauty comes from the inside out. You have to physically feel energetic to project it with good nutrition and exercise. If you don’t use it you lose it. I try to exercise a little every day but, as well as physical health, I’m an advocate for positivity. I always walk about eliminating ‘mental obesity,’ basically not letting yourself become overwhelmed by everything.”
A Life Well Lived, and Well Seen
Today, Kerri‑Anne continues to live in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, enjoying life, connection with family and community, and advocating for preventive health — especially eye health — with the same energy and spirit that has defined her remarkable career.
