Glaucoma Australia
Organisation
Organisation Profile
-
About
Glaucoma Australia is the peak glaucoma awareness/education/support association in Australia.
It is a national, not-for-profit registered charity dedicated to providing educational services to raise awareness about the serious and common eye disease glaucoma; to support glaucoma sufferers and to raise fund for research.
Glaucoma Australia's mission is to minimise visual disability from glaucoma by:
•increasing community awareness
•supporting glaucoma patients and their families
•funding glaucoma research
- Areas Of Interest Glaucoma
Answers contributed by Glaucoma Australia
-
Which eye diseases have increased risk with age?
Glaucoma risk increases with advancing age, with the incidence approximately doubling every decade of life, from approximately 1 in 200 at age 40 years - 1 in 10 at age 80 years. read more -
What is the difference between glaucoma and a cataract?
Glaucoma is a disease that develops in some people and affects the optic nerve (the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain). A cataract forms in the lens of the eye such ... read more -
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
The typical feature in glaucoma is that there is progressive damage to the nerve of the eye, usually associated with high eye pressure and a defect in the field of vision. Diagnosis therefore requires assessment ... read more -
Is glaucoma reversible?
Unfortunately, glaucoma cannot be reversed but it can be controlled. Any nerve damage that has already occurred from glaucoma cannot be recovered. However, further damage can be prevented or at least slowed down by reducing ... read more -
What are the pros and cons of surgery for glaucoma?
Glaucoma surgery is usually reserved only for patients in whom eye drops or laser are unable to control the eye pressure sufficiently. If the eye pressure remains uncontrolled, there will be progressive damage to the ... read more -
Is glaucoma hereditary?
There have been some genes that have been linked with raised eye pressure and glaucoma. However, genes are not the only risk factor involved in the development of glaucoma. Due to this, we are not ... read more -
What are the lifestyle impacts of developing glaucoma?
Age, genetics and smoking are risk factors for the development and progression of glaucoma. While age and genetics are non-modifiable risk factors, smoking certainly is. Smoking is also associated with other eye conditions, including cataract, ... read more -
Is glaucoma visible from the outside of a persons eye? If not - do you have any surgical pictures?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to diagnose glaucoma just by looking at the eye. The diagnosis requires assessment of several parameters, including the eye pressure, the drainage part of the eye, the nerve of the ... read more -
Just being diagnosed with glaucoma, what is my prognosis?
Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure in the eye is too high for the eye, causing damage to the nerve of the eye. If the eye pressure is uncontrolled, the damage to the nerve ... read more -
Are diabetes and glaucoma related?
Some studies show that there is a link between diabetes and glaucoma and others do not. However, if diabetes is not well controlled and abnormal blood vessels grow in the eye, a secondary type of ... read more -
Homeopaths? Anyone succeeded with non surgical pterygium treatment?
Homeopathy is a paradigm of therapy lacking any credible scientific basis or biological plausibility. There are no homeopathic remedies of any use beyond a placebo effect. No one has succeeded with non-surgical pterygium treatment. read more -
Are there any other steps to prevent glaucoma than eye drops
There are 3 types of glaucoma treatments: eye drops, laser or surgery. In general terms, these are used in an escalating protocol depending on response to treatment and severity of disease. read more -
Can prolongued computer use cause glaucoma?
The short answer is, No. read more -
Can I still wear contact lenses if I have glaucoma?
In short, yes, but this will depend on the treatment you are receiving and the type of lenses used. If your glaucoma is managed with a single night time drop, then this can be instilled ... read more -
What is the relationship between thyroid function and glaucoma?
This is a somewhat controversial issue as studies on this topic have given mixed results. Some studies, including the Blue Mountains Eye Study from western Sydney, indicate that glaucoma is more likely to occur in ... read more -
Is glaucoma always associated with noticable symptoms?
No, usually there are no symptoms early on in glaucoma. This explains why half of the people in our community with glaucoma are unaware of it. With more advanced glaucoma, symptoms may be more noticeable ... read more -
What is open-angle glaucoma surgery?
There is no surgery that is specifically indicated for open-angle glaucoma. However, some types of glaucoma surgery are more likely to work in open-angle glaucoma compared to closed-angle glaucoma. Below is a short summary. All ... read more -
Are there any side effects of glaucoma eye drops?
There are potentially many side-effects from glaucoma drops. The likelihood of a particular side-effect will depend on the type of drop being used. A side-effect may be considered in terms of those effecting the eye ... read more -
What is the prognosis for glaucoma?
If glaucoma is discovered early the prognosis for glaucoma is good. read more -
Does glaucoma cause blindness?
Yes, glaucoma can cause blindness. However, if it is treated early the risk of blindness is reduced. read more -
What are the risk factors for developing glaucoma?
The risk factors for glaucoma are: elevated eye pressures, family history, ethnicity, short-sightedness, conditions that cause poor blood flow to the optic nerve. read more -
What is pseudoexfoliation syndrome?
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is a condition where abnormal material is produced and deposited in the eye. This syndrome can lead to glaucoma, possibly through debris obstructing outflow of fluid and forcing the intraocular pressure up. read more -
Is there a natural cure for Glaucoma?
There is no cure for glaucoma, only control. There is no natural cure for glaucoma read more -
What are the different types of glaucoma?
Glaucoma is generally categorised as open and closed angle glaucoma, depending on whether the drainage angle is open or closed (see earlier narrow angle glaucoma). There are also secondary types of glaucoma that result from ... read more -
What is the optic nerve and how does it relate to glaucoma?
The optic nerve is the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is progressively damaged in glaucoma causing progressive (usually peripheral) visual loss. read more -
What is the difference between glaucoma and a cataract?
Glaucoma is a disease that develops in some people and affects the optic nerve (the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain). A cataract forms in the lens of the eye such ... read more -
How are diabetes and glaucoma related?
Some studies show that there is a link between diabetes and glaucoma and others do not. However, if diabetes is not well controlled and abnormal blood vessels grow in the eye, a secondary type of ... read more -
What do glaucoma drops do?
Glaucoma drops work to reduce the pressure inside the eye by either reducing fluid production inside the eye or increasing drainage of fluid out of the eye. read more -
Is laser treatment for glaucoma effective?
There are several types of laser that are commonly used in glaucoma. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) increases drainage of fluid out of the eye. Cyclodiode laser reduces production of fluid inside the eye. Both types ... read more -
What is intraocular pressure?
Intraocular pressure is the pressure inside the eye. read more -
What is narrow angle glaucoma?
Narrow angle or angle closure glaucoma is when the drainage angle for fluid to get out of the eye is narrow, making it difficult for fluid to exit the eye. Because fluid is constantly produced ... read more -
What is the best treatment of Glaucoma?
There is no BEST treatment for glaucoma. All treatments reduce the pressure inside the eye (the only way we have to treat glaucoma currently). The best treatment will be different for different people. Most people ... read more -
Is glaucoma preventable?
There is nothing that can be done to prevent glaucoma occurring in your eye. It is best to ensure that it is picked up early so that you can have early treatment to prevent blindness. ... read more -
What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?
In most cases glaucoma does not cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. With later stages you may notice a loss or blurring of peripheral vision. Significant awareness of peripheral vision loss usually indicates advanced ... read more -
What causes Glaucoma?
The cause of glaucoma is largely unknown. In some cases it runs in the family. In others, it may be caused by other eye diseases or trauma. In most cases of glaucoma the pressure inside ... read more -
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that affects the optic nerve. There is a gradual loss of the nerve cells that take information from the eye to the brain, and this leads to progressive visual loss, ... read more -
Catestophic news about my mother's eyesight
Richard, so sorry to hear about your mother's loss of vision. When eye drops and LASER fail to treat glaucoma effectively, surgery is the next logical step. Regarding your mother's mental well-being her GP may ... read more -
I am 35 and have astigmatisms in both eyes and have only had glasses for the last two years
Hi Tammara, this is a question to be discussed with the eye health professional (in this case your optometrist) who has checked your optic nerve. If there is evidence of damage ask why they want ... read more -
Need help for elderly lady in Newcastle NSW
Hi Tania, eye specialists require a referral to be able to see them to qualify for Medicare rebates. The first "port of call" is to see an Optometrist who will undertake an eye health check ... read more
Healthshare is intended for Australian residents only. It is an information resource and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by a professional.
© 2012 Healthshare Pty Ltd