Glaucoma Can Affect All Australians

When Perth woman Gaela Hilditch was in her 20s, she was hit in the eye with a ball during a game of squash.

Afterwards, she went on her merry way, not realising the accident was the start of a slow-progressing and potentially blinding eye disease. “At aged 50, just out of the blue, I was diagnosed with glaucoma,” Ms Hilditch said. “People often don’t realise you can get glaucoma from eye trauma.”

Ms Hilditch, now a Glaucoma Australia volunteer and support group coordinator, said an estimated 300,000 Australians have glaucoma – a disease where vision is lost due to optic nerve damage.

While many older Australians suffer with the condition, Ms Hilditch knows all too well glaucoma doesn’t discriminate. “It’s a myth that only older people get glaucoma,” Ms Hilditch said.

“We have a very diverse group of people who attend our support group, one who was diagnosed aged 33 and another who was diagnosed aged 16. “Babies can be born with glaucoma.

“It’s very important that younger people get their eyes checked.

“Early detection and treatment can save sight.”

The Glaucoma Australia Perth support group meets four times a year and regularly engages an ophthalmologist to speak at meetings.

Ms Hilditch said it was a great opportunity for people to learn more about glaucoma, ask burning questions and connect with other people who suffer from the disease.

“People aren’t always comfortable sharing their experiences with friends who just don’t understand because they don’t experience glaucoma themselves,” Ms Hilditch said.

“Our support group brings people out of isolation, you meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it’s very therapeutic.”

About 1 in 10,000 babies are born with glaucoma and about 1 in 200 people will have glaucoma by age 40. By age 80, 1 in 8 people will have the disease. The nerve damage cannot be self-detected and Australians are encouraged to visit an optometrist every two years for a comprehensive eye exam, particularly people with a family history of glaucoma or those of Asian or African descent.

WA residents can reach out to Ms Hilditch on 0416 074 415 or email gaela12@hotmail.com, or go the Glaucoma Australia events page to check what is happening in your state.