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Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” and for good reason. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in Australia, yet most people with early glaucoma have no symptoms at all.
During World Glaucoma Week (8–14 March 2026), it’s a timely reminder that protecting your vision starts long before you notice a problem.
Glaucoma occurs when damage affects the optic nerve, the part of the eye that carries visual information to your brain. In many cases this damage is linked to pressure inside the eye, but it can also occur even when eye pressure is within the normal range. The worrying thing is how quietly it develops. There is usually no pain, no redness and no sudden blur. Instead, glaucoma slowly reduces your peripheral vision, often without you realising anything has changed.
By the time noticeable vision loss occurs, permanent damage has already happened. The good news is that when glaucoma is found early, treatment can greatly slow or even prevent further sight loss. That is why regular eye examinations are so important especially if you are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, are highly shortsighted, or have health conditions such as diabetes.
Modern technology now lets us detect glaucoma much earlier. At our clinic, we use Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) a scan sometimes described as a lightbased ultrasound. It measures the thickness of the fine nerve layers at the back of the eye with great accuracy, helping us pick up early signs of damage before vision is affected.
As an independent optometry practice, our focus is on thorough, personalised care. Appointments are unhurried, allowing time to check risk factors carefully, explain results in plain language and agree on a management plan if needed. I have also completed an Advanced Certificate in Glaucoma, giving extra training in detecting and monitoring this complex condition.
Glaucoma may be silent but your eye examination shouldn’t be optional. Early testing could make all the difference to protecting your sight for years to come.
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