THOUSANDS of Aussies are at risk of losing their sight and don't even know it.
About 300,000 Australians have glaucoma, the often "hidden" condition, and almost half are completely unaware they have it.
This is why the country's peak ophthalmologist body is urging all those at risk to have regular eye tests and to talk to their GP or eye specialist about glaucoma and its risk factors.
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases where vision is lost due to damage to the optic nerve.
Generally there are no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. Loss of sight is usually gradual and up to 40 per cent of vision can be lost before there is an awareness of any problem.
According to Glaucoma Australia, two in 100 Australians will develop glaucoma in their lifetime, while one in eight aged over 80 will develop it.
The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists vice president and Sydney glaucoma surgeon Ashish Agar said it was important for people to know that early detection provides more options for treatment and better outcomes.
"Regular eye exams for these at-risk Australians are imperative," he said.
The facts
Hidden sufferers: More than 300,000 Australians are likely to have glaucoma, but only half (150,0000) have been diagnosed.
Glaucoma is a thief: Generally there are no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. The loss of sight is usually gradual.
Increased risk: First degree relatives of people with glaucoma are 10 times more likely to develop the condition.
More than one type: Most people don't know there are different kinds of glaucoma. The primary problem in glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Patients diagnosed with primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma experience increased IOP. A third type, normal tensions glaucoma, occurs when the optic nerve has been damaged despite a normal IOP.
Eye exams are imperative: The best way to protect your sight is to have your eyes tested. Routine eye exams are imperative for at-risk Australians.
Saving sight: Early detection provides more options for treatment and better outcomes.
