It is estimated that one in eleven Australians will develop glaucoma. Half of those with glaucoma are undiagnosed.

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases that occur when too much pressure develops inside one or both eye balls.  It is a leading cause of vision damage and blindness in people over 40 years of age, but it can affect people of any age. If glaucoma is detected early, treatment can prevent vision loss in most cases.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Symptoms of early glaucoma in adults are often vague and variable, making it hard to detect.  As glaucoma disease advances, symptoms such as blurred vision or a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision can occur.  At this stage of the disease, treatment can control further damage, but vision that is already lost cannot be restored. That is why it is crucial to have regular eye checks every two years. When you have your eyes checked, ask to have your optic disc assessed and have your eye pressure measured. A major risk factor for glaucoma is a family history of the disease. If you have a parent with glaucoma, your risk of glaucoma is three to five times the average risk. If you have a sibling with glaucoma, your risk is seven to nine times the average risk.

The incidence of glaucoma also increases with age.  Only one in 200 40-year-olds have glaucoma, but one in 12 people over the age of 80 will have glaucoma. Other risk factors for glaucoma include previous eye injuries, exposure to steroid medications, short-sightedness, diabetes, history of migraines, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, glaucoma in infants is rare. However, when it does occur in infants it can be devastating, especially if not detected early. Signs of glaucoma in babies include large, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light.  Any baby with these symptoms should to be examined urgently by an ophthalmologist.

If you have glaucoma, it is important to have regular appointments with your ophthalmologist and use your medications faithfully.  If for some reason you are unable to do so, discuss this with your ophthalmologist. Ensure your technique of instilling eye drops is effective, and ask for help if necessary. Tell your ophthalmologist about any problems or side effects you might be experiencing, and tell your family to have their eyes tested regularly.

Glaucoma Research

The Eye Foundation’s Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma (ANRAG) is a research project looking at ways to identify people at high risk of developing glaucoma so that they can be diagnosed early and treated before they start losing vision. To help find out what puts people in a high-risk category for glaucoma, the project is establishing the world’s largest registry of advanced glaucoma cases. The project team are researching DNA to identify new genes linked to glaucoma and gain a better understanding of glaucoma and its management. You can find out more about this project here.