Kirk Pengilly fronts Glaucoma Australia’s ‘Don't Be Blindsided’ campaign in support of World Glaucoma Week 2020

Iconic Aussie rock star and glaucoma patient Kirk Pengilly fronts Glaucoma Australia’s new look risk awareness campaign ‘Don't Be Blindsided’ in support of World Glaucoma Week (8-14 March 2020).

The ‘Don't be Blindsided’ campaign urges Australians to have their eyes checked by an optometrist every 2 years to prevent the irreversible damage caused by glaucoma if left untreated. While people over the age of 50 and those with a family history of glaucoma are more at risk, Kirk Pengilly is proof that anyone can be blindsided by this insidious disease.

CEO of Glaucoma Australia Annie Gibbins says, “Nine out of ten Australians value their eyesight above any other sense, yet as many as one in three Australians cannot recall having an eye test in the past two years.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The disease effects 300,000 Australians, however due to glaucoma having little to no symptoms, 50% of them are not aware that they have the disease.

“Kirk’s personal experience shows that glaucoma can affect anyone as he was 29 years old and had no family history of the disease. His passionate plea for Australian’s to have their eyes tested will help raise awareness as early detection and intervention is the key to saving ones eyesight,” added Ms Gibbins

Television and radio community service announcements featuring Kirk Pengilly have been created in support of the ‘Don't Be Blindsided’ campaign and are expected to air throughout the month of March.

“When I got glaucoma it really hit home at how lucky I was to not lose my sight,” says Kirk Pengilly. “An eye test is quick and painless and could be the difference between losing your vision, or not. Don’t let glaucoma blindside you, have an eye exam this World Glaucoma Week. ”