Glaucoma Awareness Week 2018

Glaucoma Awareness Week 2018

Glaucoma Awareness Week campaign aims to find 150,000 Aussies who are unaware they have glaucoma.

Despite being the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness, more than 10 million Aussies do not automatically think to have a simple eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist which can save their sight. This means they are potentially suffering preventable but irreversible blindness.

More than 300,000 Australians have glaucoma, yet only 50% have been diagnosed, typically because they lack noticeable symptoms and haven’t had a simple eye exam.

Anyone may develop glaucoma, but the incidence increases with age.  About 1 in 10,000 babies are born with glaucoma, by age 40, about 1 in 200 have glaucoma, rising to 1 in 8 at age 80. Overall the incidence in Australia is about 2.3% of the population.

During World Glaucoma Week, 11 – 17 March 2018, Glaucoma Australia is encouraging relatives of those with glaucoma to have a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist from age 40 and every 2 years ongoing.