World Glaucoma Week: 'Regular eye tests can prevent blindness'

Jane Dutton spoke to Pediatric Optometrist and Director of Private Practice at SA Optometric Association, Dr Martelie Burger.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

World Glaucoma Week is observed from 10 - 16 March 2024, with this year's theme being “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”.

Glaucoma is a "chronic progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage."

"Inside your eyes, you've got a build-up pressure and that pushes against the nerve in your eye and slowly and surely over years your eyes start losing their peripheral vision. Your nerve gets paralysed from your peripheral vision until it gets to your central vision and by the time it gets to your central vision, there's not much that can be done."

- Dr Martelie Burger, Pediatric Optometrist

Known as the "silent thief of sight", glaucoma is said to be the number one cause of irreversible blindness.

It's reported that around 80 million people globally have glaucoma, with that number predicted to rise to over 95 million by 2030. 

Burger says there is a large percentage of people who aren't aware that they have the condition because, in the early stages of the disease, glaucoma is asymptomatic.

"People are not aware that they have to go for their regular checkups."

- Dr Martelie Burger, Pediatric Optometrist

There is no cure for glaucoma, so going for regular eye tests are very important as this will help with early diagnosis and treatment that can slow down or prevent blindness.

"You can basically just use an eyedrop and you can not have this condition."

- Dr Martelie Burger, Pediatric Optometrist

Glaucoma can affect anyone at any age no matter your race or nationality.

Scroll up to listen to the full interview.