Increasing number of NZers going blind

Early detection is the best way to halt the progression of glaucoma. Photo / Dannevirke News

The number of New Zealanders suffering from glaucoma - a preventable yet irreversible loss of vision - is increasing and could exceed 76,000 by 2031, Glaucoma New Zealand (GNZ) says.

About 68,000 New Zealanders aged over 40 already have glaucoma and the number is likely to increase as the population ages and people live longer, GNZ chairwoman Helen Danesh-Meyer said today.

Vision loss often led to increased rates of depression, accidents, rest home admissions as well as a decline in quality of life, she said.

"Fifty per cent of people with glaucoma in this country don't know they have it as it slowly steals their vision," she said.

"Most people experience no symptoms until it is too late to repair the damage that has been progressively getting worse over a long period of time."

Professor Danesh-Meyer said early detection was the key to preventing blindness.

"The condition can't be cured; once the vision is gone, you can't get it back, but modern treatments can halt its progression and preserve the sight that is left," she said.

"It is really important for people to know if glaucoma runs in their family, because if it does, your risk increases ten-fold."

From the age of 45, people should have an eye exam every five years, then every three years from the age of 60, she said.

GNZ is holding a nationwide glaucoma awareness appeal in July.

- NZPA