New national glaucoma guidelines to improve eye care

24 January 2011

New national guidelines on the treatment of glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, have been released.

The Guidelines for the Screening, Prognosis, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Glaucoma provide information for eye specialists, opticians, GPs and other health workers on the best options for preventing and treating glaucoma.

"Glaucoma puts eyesight at risk. Identifying the best ways to overcome this risk through evidence-based practice has the potential to prevent vision loss in many Australians." said Professor Bill Morgan, Chair of the Glaucoma Working Committee.

The guidelines are based on the best current evidence and provide a link between the many health professions involved in eye care, ensuring that the treatments recommended in different areas of the health care system are consistent.

A consumer brochure based on the guidelines has also been developed. The brochure, Could this be happening to you?, informs people about the signs and risk factors for glaucoma before eye damage goes too far.

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. It can occur at any age and can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is often associated with increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure).

A person with glaucoma usually experiences no symptoms until significant damage to eyesight has occurred. This is because generally outside vision disappears first, with central vision being lost last. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss in most cases.

The guidelines have been prepared by an expert working committee established by the National Health and Medical Research Council with funding from the Federal Department of Health and Ageing.

The guidelines are an output of the National Framework for Action to Promote Eye Health and Prevent Avoidable Blindness and Vision Loss, part of the Australian National Eye Health Framework.

Further information

To download the guidelines, visit the National Health and Medical Research Council website.

Further information about glaucoma is available from the Better Health Channel.