Why Glaucoma Matters

Glaucoma often goes unnoticed until it’s already caused serious vision loss. That’s why regular eye checks are so important—it’s the best way to catch it early and protect your sight. It damages the optic nerve, the crucial link between your eye and brain, and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

At Paterson Burn, we’ve seen how early detection can save vision. That’s why understanding glaucoma and having regular eye exams is vital—especially as we get older.

How Glaucoma Develops

Your eye maintains its shape through a balance of fluid production and drainage. When drainage slows or blocks, eye pressure rises, damaging the optic nerve over time. This damage usually starts with your side vision and moves inward.

The most common type, primary open-angle glaucoma, develops slowly as drainage channels become less efficient. Angle-closure glaucoma is less common but urgent, caused by a sudden blockage that rapidly increases eye pressure.

Who's at Risk?

While anyone can develop glaucoma, certain factors increase your risk:

Age is the biggest factor—your risk increases significantly after 40, and even more so after 60.
‍Family history plays a crucial role too; if a parent or sibling has glaucoma, your risk is much higher.
In NZ, Māori and Pacific people have a higher risk of glaucoma compared to other groups.
Medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease also increase risk, as do severe nearsightedness and previous eye injuries.

Early Detection is Key

Because glaucoma rarely causes early symptoms, regular eye exams are your best defence. At Paterson Burn, we use multiple painless tests to catch glaucoma early: measuring eye pressure, examining the optic nerve, testing your peripheral vision, and detailed OCT imaging.

Detecting glaucoma before symptoms appear allows us to start treatment early and protect your vision for the long term.

Managing Glaucoma for Life

While lost vision can’t be restored, glaucoma is manageable. Treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure to protect the optic nerve—usually starting with prescription eye drops that reduce fluid or improve drainage.

If needed, laser treatments or surgery can further control pressure. With ongoing care and monitoring, most people with glaucoma maintain good vision and continue enjoying their daily lives.

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