50,000 Kiwis at Risk of Developing Glaucoma

Launch of mass glaucoma risk assessment drive marks
start of Glaucoma Awareness Month

Auckland,
New Zealand – Aucklanders are being encouraged to
attend the launch of what is believed to be this country’s
largest ever free public glaucoma risk assessment drive in a
bid to catch “the thief of sight” and support Glaucoma
New Zealand’s March Awareness
campaign.

Optometrists, OPSM, are partnering with
charity, Glaucoma New Zealand, to lift the lid on glaucoma,
the eye disease that 50,000 kiwis don’t even know they
have.

The glaucoma risk assessment drive will be
launched with a free public event from 11.00am to 2.30pm at
Britomart’s Takutai Square on Thursday 02
March.

OPSM, Eyecare Director Elizabeth Kodari says;
“Glaucoma is often referred to as the ‘thief of sight’
and for very good reason because in the early stages there
are usually no symptoms. With early detection and treatment
glaucoma progression may be stopped in its
tracks.

Elizabeth says their goal is to encourage at
least 500 Kiwis who are not getting their eyes tested
regularly to visit an optometrist during March and get their
eyes tested. Southern Cross Health members receive a free
eye test annually when they visit any of OPSM’s over 50
stores nationwide.

“This number (500) only
represents 1% of those who are estimated to be walking
around unknowingly with glaucoma in New Zealand. If the
glaucoma awareness campaign helps drive just one person who
would otherwise not be aware that they have glaucoma and we
can help save their vision, then it will be
worthwhile.

“At the Britomart event our experienced
optometrists will do a quick, glaucoma risk assessment. This
will identify any visitors who are at heightened risk of
glaucoma. The test should take no more than 5 mins and is
just focused on glaucoma indicators. It is not intended as a
replacement for a full eye health test.”

Professor
Helen Danesh-Meyer, Chairwoman of Glaucoma New Zealand,
says; “We are very grateful to OPSM for their support of
our campaign to increase awareness around glaucoma. So many
people think it won’t happen to them, particularly those
in the 40+ age range who may think they are too young to be
impacted by the glaucoma thief but sadly this is not the
case. I would urge anyone over 40 to safeguard their vision
by committing to regular eye health checks with their local
optometrist. Tests are simple and painless and are really no
different to checking the brakes on your car or getting a
regular WOF.”

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases
that damage the optic nerve and are New Zealand’s leading
cause of irreversible
blindness.

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