Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease which can lead to irreversible blindness. It is the most common disease of the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve in early chronic Glaucoma can be very subtle. The onset is slow so the individual is usually not aware that anything is wrong. Glaucoma has become known as “the Sneak Thief of Sight”. Vision is gone before you know it.

One in 10 Australians over 80 years of age will develop Glaucoma, but it is not exclusively a disease affecting the elderly. Whilst Glaucoma becomes more likely with advancing years, it is possible to have Glaucoma at almost any age, though the risk of developing Glaucoma increases particularly after 40 years of age.