60,000 people in NZ are living with glaucoma but don’t know it. This poses a risk to them, and others, as they are more likely to have falls or accidents due to what Ophthalmologists describe as ‘negative sight’.

The aging population, heart disease & diabetes numbers on the rise in NZ makes Glaucoma NZ’s annual symposium extremely timely. It is a unique opportunity to learn from a panel of medical experts on an eye disease impacting more than 115,000 Kiwis, with another 60,000 people unaware they are living with it.

Glaucoma is often referred to as the ‘thief of sight’ because the most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms. The damage to the optic nerve happens over time and is irreversible.

Glaucoma New Zealand is set to host its annual Patient Symposium on Sunday, August 15, 9am-11.30am, in the Great Northern Room at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Speakers and Programme: Our panel, Ophthalmologists; Jim Stewart, Hussain Patel, Divya Perumal and a local glaucoma patient.

• Treatment & Surgery in Glaucoma
• Lifestyle Factors
• Types of Glaucoma
• The latest Glaucoma Research

Key messages – early detection of the disease and treatment adherence will prevent blindness from glaucoma.

Who is most at risk? 

• • People aged 60 years and over
  • Those with a family history of glaucoma, heart disease, myopia, high blood pressure, use of steroid drugs, previous eye injury and those of Asian or African descent.
  • Maori and Pacifica have prevalence to the glaucoma type called Acute Angle Closure

Symposium Objectives

The symposium aims to provide an opportunity for patients living with glaucoma (and their immediate families and/or caregivers), to gain information and valuable insights in a face-to-face environment regarding living with and managing the disease.  This is a unique opportunity for members of the public to have access to such expertise which is note usually available to them. 

We truly appreciate your help to make a difference for this at risk group.

More information

Email: Pippa Martin [email protected]

Website: Glaucoma New Zealand

Phone number: 0800 452 826 (0800 GLAUCOMA)

Email: [email protected]

Flyer: pdf